Well it has been a week since I’ve been using the Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La and it has been fun experimenting with my first curl custard.

First and foremost, a curl custard or curl gel was never needed on my head…well that was what I thought. But in order to really understand where my curl pattern is going now, I needed to pull on some old school styling to get that done. My hair has been straight in the front as long as I’ve known it, so it believes it curls when it “waves” up and a traditional wash and go isn’t cutting it.

So, I grabbed my million bobby pins, the curl custard and CURLS Curl Goddess (which I will talk about in a minute), and got to work. As you can see above, I did what looks to be a bantu knot/pin curl method. Its about thirty of the knots in my head, no real parts just grabbing, twisting and pinning, all done on damp hair. I applied my normal leave-in, then ran the castor oil through my hair (all still wet hair). Afterwards, I took a nice amount of the curl goddess into my hands and ran that through as well.

The Aunt Jackies, I used on each individual section of hair that was twisted or knotted, then pinned. After each section was taken care of, I oiled my scalp, wrapped it and here we are…taking it down the next day. I take my hair down, basically the same way I put it up, minus the curl cream usage.

I unravel each section with my  ”Beauty Haus” castor oil (Hollywood brand), and before I get to REAL work on my head, I oil my scalp with either canister of mixed hair food from Africa’s Best or T.W. (Africa’s Best is VERY thick so work that into your scalp), both of which my hair has now become INCREDIBLY receptive to, and I unravel and play.

This is the final look! I will show this week’s overall looks so that you can see how each day was pretty much styled. From pinup to diffused, stretched looks, it is a fun product to mess with.

Q&A Session

How was each day styled? Wet or dry?

-Wet actually. My hair gets its best manipulation wet, so my hair was wet down everyday and styled. As I had to deep condition last night, a semi- co wash was in order. SN, I lightly co-wash twice a week, and I try to deep condition once every week. But the looks I went for can be styled on Dry hair as well, which I will progress into this week, seeing how this holds up for three days at a time, working with what has become my normal regiment.

Why the Goddess Curls?

-Welp, I wanted to see if it holds true to low frizz in humidity and great shine…in conjunction with this curl custard. Did it hold its end of the bargain? YES! I’ve been following Around the Way Curls for a minute and both ladies, bi-racial/mixed used it on their hair and I wanted to see how it held up on mine! I would go so far to say that I don’t want to go without it.

Would you recommend Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La for Transitioning hair?

-I would! Most certainly would. If you don’t mind a little alcohol in your products, I say its amazing. It has allowed me to find a way to not only  stretch and manipulate my curl pattern, but to also enhance it, and it works very well with the Curl’s Goddess Curls. I was full on natural for several years, and after I cut my hair all off last August, my hair grew in CRAZY. So I got the relaxer in April to train my hair, and as it has worn off and continues to grow out, my hair has established a since of “ok, I need to go this way, curl this way, lay this way…” blah blah blah. Yea my hair is stubborn, wavy/curly combination, relaxer or not it needed guidance…and love.

So, that is my review, my story, and below you can find a small gallery of looks for the week from last Saturday to today!!

Original Article

Its that time of year again and we just want to make sure you are ready for everything this month!

This month, Eucerin would like to help you put your Skin First every day with the ABC’s for your skin care routine. It’s not just what you put on your skin but also what you put in your body that effects how your skin looks and feels. Besides cleansing and moisturizing, during the day and night, there are simple things you can do every day to keep your skin healthy.

· A is for Anti-oxidants – Foods rich in antioxidants help prevent and repair damage to your skin from the sun.
· B is for Vitamin B – Found in many grain and dairy products, Vitamin B helps maintain healthy skin.
· C is for Children – Did you know that one severe childhood sunburn doubles your chance of developing melanoma? Protect your children from sunburn now by teaching them to use an SPF lotion, like Eucerin Daily Protection Lotion, every day.
· D is for Dermatologist – You should see a board certified dermatologist at least once a year.
· E is for Everyday – While it may not flair up as severely in the summer months, dry skin requires year-long care. Eucerin Skin Calming Daily Moisturizing Crème with natural oatmeal will moisturize and soothe dry, itchy skin. Has Eucerin helped relieve your dry skin?
· F is for Feet – You spend most of the day on your feet, so why not care for them just as much as you do other parts of your body. If you suffer from chapped or crack skin on your feet, try Aquaphor Healing Ointment or Eucerin Intensive Repair Extra-Enriched Foot Crème.
· G is for Gluco-Glycerol – Eucerin Professional Repair with Gluco-Glycerol improves the moisture supply to the skin. Professional Repair’s unique formula is ideal for extremely dry skin.
· H is for Healing – Nothing beats the original! If you have cracks or persistently dry skin, you may need more than a daily moisturizer. Eucerin Original Healing Soothing Repair Creme is fragrance free and dermatologist recommended to seal in the moisture your skin will need to help in the healing process.
· I is for Incidental Sun Exposure – Skin is exposed to the sun’s UVA/UVB rays during everyday activities like driving in a car or sitting by a window at work. Use Eucerin Daily Protection Lotion to help protect your skin everyday!
· J is for Joyous – We were joyous when the Eucerin US Facebook page hit 500,000 fans earlier this year. And it continues to grow! 7xx,xxx [Switch out the number of fans for that day’s post] and counting. Thanks for being such dedicated fans throughout the years! [Include link to Thank You video]
· K is for Kale – Kale’s antioxidant properties can help your skin look healthier.
· L is for Lotion – Lotions have a lighter texture than creams and can work best for daily skin hydration. Look at our texture scale on every bottle of Eucerin and choose lightweight ones, like Daily Protection or Daily Replenishing Lotion, for use on warm summer days. (Include image of texture scale)
· M is for Moisturizer – We recommend moisturizing twice a day – morning and night – to keep your skin looking healthy all day long.
· N is for Nourish – What are your tips for nourishing your skin on a daily basis? Share yours and we could feature it in a Eucerin Facebook photo or update!
· O is for Organ – Your skin is your body’s largest organ, which is why we put skin care at the top of our to-do list.
· P is for pH Balance – The skin’s natural pH ranges from 4.5 to 5.5, but UV light, temperature changes, and sweating can all affect the skin’s pH levels, causing your skin to dry out. To help keep this dryness at bay, apply a Eucerin body lotion daily after your shower or bath.
· Q is for Quiz – Which Eucerin product contains Gluco-Glycerol? A. Intensive Repair B. Professional Repair C. Original D. Daily Protection
· R is for Replenishing – Don’t just moisturize your skin; make sure you’re using a product that will help heal it too! Eucerin Daily Replenishing Moisturizing Lotion is specially formulated to replenish the skin’s natural moisture barrier for healthier looking skin.
· S is for Sunscreen – Dermatologists recommend applying at least 1 ounce (about a golf ball sized amount) of sunscreen to your entire body at least 30 minutes before sun exposure.
· T is for Texture – Every bottle of Eucerin comes with a texture scale right on the label to help you decide which product you should use on your skin. [Include image of texture scale]
· U is for Urea – For conditions like Keratosis Pilaris, dermatologists recommend using a moisturizer that contains urea and buffered alpha hydroxy acids – like Eucerin’s Professional Repair. Urea provides intense moisture, while the alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate the skin for a smoother look and feel.
· V is for Vigilant - Regular full-body exams ensure that you’re catching suspicious spots and preventing skin cancer. Be vigilant and if you notice an unusually dark or abnormally shaped spot on your skin, bring it to the attention of your doctor or dermatologist.
· W is for Warm – Warm, not hot showers and baths are best to prevent the stripping of natural oils and nutrients from your skin.
· X is for X-Ray – Similar to x-rays, UVA rays can penetrate everything from clouds, clothing, and car windows. Help protect your skin from the sun with Eucerin Daily Protection Lotions this summer.
· Y is for You! – You can help protect your skin and keep it looking healthy – with FREE samples of Eucerin’s Daily Replenishing Lotion on our Facebook page. All you have to do is Like the Facebook Page and click on the app that says “Unlock Free Samples.
· Z is for Zinc – Zinc oxide is a mineral that provides UVA/UVB protection. Look for this ingredient in your sunscreens and in Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 30 and make sure you’re getting broad spectrum protection to help prevent sun damage.

You ready to WIN something AMAZING?! I hope so! Enter below and comment! What are your “ABC’s” when getting ready for school? 

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Original Article

We took a bit of a summer vacay on the makeup tip, but we are ready to get our lashes back. Aren’t you?

Well, our lashes didn’t leave us, but as it was the summer we were left with clear mascara to run through our lashes, and it wasn’t giving us the normal “VA VA VOOM” effect we love. So with that being said, we are on the hunt for the next best thing in makeup and we reached for the MEGA PLUSH from Maybelline!

Maybelline mascaras are always good to try out. They tend to set the standard in what we look for in mascara. Being that the wonderful lady at the drugstore had a coupon for this product, it made the want even stronger. For mascaras, we tend to reach for the darkest, most dramatic classic look, as when mascara is applied in several coats it can look as if you are wearing falsies. ;)

For this gel mousse formula, it has been the best drugstore mascara tried thus far. It does not run, nor does it flake. Does it give the added volume as expected? Not after the first two coats, but after the fourth one, you are in good!

Overall Rating

Is it worth the $5-$7? I say go for it. Attributes to length, and gives the right amount of volume, without smearing, running or flaking! It gets a B+ in my grade book.

Ready to try this out, or have you been trying it? What do you think?

Original Article

A week behind on this particular post but, nevertheless it was a huge moment in my life.

YEP, I got to attend my ship’s wedding. She looked AMAZING! I tried catching shots but she was a FAST walking bride I tell you.

Cynthia is a total sweetheart though and I was more than honored that she would ask me to attend such an event, and I ended up singing at the reception (who woulda thought)! But my sis caught up with her and posed! Her wedding party looked AMAZING and they were just as pleasant and fun!

I really wanted a great shot of her TRAIN UGH! That dress…but either way, it was a wonderful way to start the week out!

As for myself, this was my look for the evening. This trench was the perfect touch I needed for this LBD. Ladies, the LBD (little black dress) always comes in handy…which is why I’ve ten of them for ANY and EVERY occasion. As well, make sure they are basic enough to pull off for a Wear To Work, and after party, or simply something along those lines so that you can dress it up with chunky accessories!

I tried to take the trench off, but it was so chilly, I put it RIGHT back on! I was also super hungry and I missed the first group shot at the church but my sorors, as you will see below, looked amazing! Flip through the small gallery and take a peek! :)

Thanks for reading!

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-Peace.Love.LipsticK
 

Original Article

Summer is practically over and my hair won’t be able to stand a simple wet and style, so I’m currently experimenting with looks that bode well for the Fall. As well, that means products that will allow for me to get a great curl without weighing my hair down.

For most that know me, super long hair, or short, I cannot stand having my hair in my face all the time, and my hair LIVES in pinups. However, when I can let my hair down, in a functionable way, I will.

As I am journeying back into my land of the natural, my normal curl pattern has found its consistency within the styles I wear, but my hair has also gotten used to the styles, so this past Friday, I ventured out and reached for my first curling custard. First and foremost, I needed a product that would not only save me time in the AM, but allow me to cut back on the usage of so many products to style my hair.

As I spoke with the young lady at the “Beauty Haus,” in reference to what I use and what I need, she directed me to the regular black hair care products that work for her, but they contained or were mostly made of Olive Oil. I know for my own hair, which is a mixture of defined waves and big to tight little curls, my head was not calling for those products. As I turned around, I saw a new line of natural hair care products they’ve introduced,  (that I’ve been hearing a little buzz about ) and grabbed that custard…put it back…and grabbed it again. “What the heck, ” I thought. ” I need to find out what Aunt Jackie’s Curls and Coils is gonna do for Asia Monique!”

I ran home to set my hair, rinse out the product in there and did a roller set with the product. Seeing as how I forgot how long that would take to dry, I whipped out the blow drier, waved it in my head for two minutes, took the set out and it was still incredibly damp, so I did huge, loose twists that I pinned, went to my meeting and set my hair in pin curls as I came home. Below is the pinned up outcome.

Overall rating for product:

• It worked well as far as taming and moisturizing each section of hair. I took a small amount to each pin curled section and in the morning, until now my hair is STILL sincerely moisturized.
• It has no sulfates, parabens, mineral oil or Olive Oil, however Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La contains not one, not two, but three different kinds of alcohol…and my hair has still survived.
• the product is very thick, so take it in small amounts and spread it evenly through hair for styling purposes.
• I will give it another week and an update to see how well my hair will react to this in the long haul.

Original Article

Yes it is still summer and even though I’m not totally convinced by neon, it does have its ways about it.

I try and incorporate a little color every now and again, and seeing as how I spent good money on this infinity scarf, I try and get as much use out of it as possible.

Now with this belt. I was a bit leery about wearing it, as it came with one of my dresses. I wasn’t sure what to make of it until I saw that I had a few items it could be paired with.

For me, neutrals and soft colors work well on my skin and it wasn’t until this spring did I decide to see how well a bright pop of color complemented my overall look.

The rest of the outfit? 

Basic LBD with a striped cardi, and black slingback wedges. Nothing beyond the usual.

But my hair…

LOL. Pinned up! Tried a twist and pin tuck in the front and it created some nice volume. The hair is coming along!!!

As always, thanks for reading!

*(Scarf, BF fit striped cardi, EXPRESS/belt, dress, Derek Heart/ Pearl buttons and necklace, FOREVER21)

-Peace.Love.LipsticK

Original Article

Confidence is the key to success. Whether if you are working, playing a sport, or simply getting dress for
the day. Having confidence can increase mental health and well being. The focus should not primarily
be on looking sexy on the outside all the time because we can all agree, there are bad days. There is
something I call the “Inner Self”, which can be revealed all the time, even on days when the outside
appearance is absent. The “Inner Self” can be brought out in many ways and exercise is one. Exercise
releases endorphins, which can reduce stress.

Working out will allow you to bring out the “Inner Self”
by eliminating stress that may be in the way. In addition, it helps with reducing anxiety and depression,
which can hide or cover the “Inner Self”. Exercising gives you confidence just by progressing in your
workout program. Knowing that you have accomplished goals is definitely a confidence booster.
Furthermore, losing weight can also aid in this process because your clothes will fit better. People will
give compliments and recognize all the hard work that you put in the gym. In conclusion, GO WORKOUT,
and bring out that “Inner Self.”

Fitnessandbeyond.blogspot.com
Facebook.com/beyond.von
Twitter.com/gud2great
Twitter.com/pdbeyondfit
Youtube.com/pd95501
Instagram (Beyond Von)

Original Article

These past few weeks have presented themselves to be quite a busy week for hip hop, especially for several Chicago artists.

Young, energetic, and hungry, all descriptors of an up and coming artist from the Chi,Thello Jay is holding true in his first official mixtape entitled His Era. With  features from Dave Coresh, Chandler London, and Rello, it makes for a very well rounded mixtape and packs some heat.

Vet in the game, and with his heavily anticipated solo project, Dark Days Bright Nights,  TreyStyle does not disappoint. Continually holding down FA as the Squad, they make several appearances on the project from the rapping to the production. Other features on the mixtape include the likes of Alex De Guzman, 3 Tre, Francis Perfecto, Spud Cotton and Teeklef.

 With his latest EP, The Looking Glass ,and  accompanied with several visuals , G.o.D Jewels (appearances by the likes of Hero and Mike of the Ambulance Factory), gives you a glance into his mind, a reason for his artistry and what the industry is like.

Clark Airlines is back at it with his second mixtape, Airplay. Showing a bit more of his artistry, he keeps it consistent with this mixtape, almost as if it were an extension of Between the Lines.

-Peace.Love.LipsticK

Original Article

Over the past week or so I have been in contact with this up and coming  online boutique based out of CANADA! How awesome is that? Joni and her team have such an awesome campaign and the drive to really push, why not show them to you all?! Amazing right? As you are reading below, you will get a great sense of Joni’s overall ideal and passion for the boutique, from the type of accessories she shops for, pricing,  and  pushing up and coming designers in the store! Check it out! 

About Us
We are Canadian owned, located in Calgary, AB. We believe we are what’s missing in the online shopping world as there aren’t, to my knowledge, online Canadian stores that target Canadian women between the ages 16-30 who are looking for affordable, fresh, trendy, modern AND fashionable shoes and accessories. We are a great benefit for Canadians who hate spending lots of money because of expensive shipping. We haven’t forgotten about our neighbours south of the border or those who live outside of North America! We want to set up free shipping and low shipping rates for both Canadian and international customers.

We want our customers to be able to look good and still have money left over so they can go out with the shoes and/or accessories they just bought or be able to afford more items!

We want to sell all of our products for less than $60. Our shoes would mainly range from $15 to $35 and our accessories would range from $3 to $13. The types of products we offer for shoes are: boots, booties, flats, heels/pumps, platforms, sandals and wedges. As for accessories, we don’t want to confine ourselves as to what to offer our customers. We will definitely be offering: bags and clutches, belts, bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, scarves, sunglasses, watches, phone accessories, etc.

We have a few vendors that we will continually buy from but we also plan to team up with designers and feature their products on our site for a limited time.

Accessories
Stack of metal bracelets for $6.50. It also comes in just blue, just orange, just white and just yellow solid accents as well as this multicolor set. (s001.png)
Bracelet that comes with 3 metal bangles wrapped in colored thread and four thin metal bangles for $6.50. (s002.png).
Solid colored Aztec inspired diamond shaped metal ring with a stretch band for $4.50 (s003.png)
Body jewellery for $11.00. It’s made from stainless steel and drapes over the upper body. (s004.png)
Skinny belt which has a glossy finish and a gold plated metal belt buckle for $4.50. (s005.png)
Cute faux leather clutch that has multicolored top and bottom panels with denim patterned linen. It also comes with a chainlink shoulder strap. This product would be $12.00. (s006.png)
Gold plated metal necklace and earring set that combines circle and hexagonal shapes for $12.00. (s007.png)

I chose gold plated items so that you can see the items better, but we offer all colors from red to blue, golds, silvers, bronzes and anything in between.

Shoes
Mid-calf high faux leather casual flat boots for $17.50 (s008.png)
Ankle high moccasins with fringe detail around the ankles and thick woven stitching for $16.00 (s009.png)
Leatherette combat boots with round toe, front zipper, and 2 back buckles for $19.00 (s010.png)
Suede easy slip on loafers with a slightly round toe and 1/4” heel for $12.00 (s011.png)
Colorblock leatherette pumps with 5.5” heel, hidden platform and almond toe for $21.00 (s012.png)
Low cut laced up patent round toe boots with contrast color trim for $21.00 (s013.png)
Casual lace up suede oxford shoes with a round toe for $14.00 (s014.png)
Stylish lace up wedges with studded spike detail on the back for $31.00 (s015.png)
Faux leather studded thong sandals with adjustable strap and buckle for $11.00 (s016.png)

*Disclaimer: all the images belong to our vendors.
Joni Thompson
Owner - saphra.ca

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Original Article

Get it while its…cold?YES! This month’s Coffee Break from e.l.f is an iced one! They are offering you something AMAZING, for something little! Check this out!

Its only for 3hrs and it starts 11AM EST! So, are we ready to do a little shopping?! ;) LET’S GO!

-Peace.Love.LipsticK

Original Article