Monday, January 31, 2011

Curl Envy: Holly Robinson Peete

Although she may not flaunt her curls like she used, growing up I was always inspired my her honey colored tendrils.




This is my favorite look!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Product Review: Kinky Curly Knot Today (KCKT)


Ingredients: organic Mango fruit extract, organic slipper elm, organic marshmallow root, organic lemongrass, cetyl alcohol, behentrimonium methosulfate, citric acid, phenoxyethanol and natural fragrance.

My first Kinky Curly purchase was sometime in 2007 and it was for the infamous Kinky Curly Curling Custard (KCCC) and their Transitioner's Tonic (no longer sold). I used the KCCC and wasn't to thrilled with the crunchy results, but I did like the TT.  Fast forward to 2010; Kinky Curly, as many know, is now sold at Target. So, I went ahead and purchased the Knot Today Leave-in Conditioner.

I absolutely love the ingredients in this product, but wasn't blown away by the end result.  It didn't make my hair immediately soft and after it was dry I still needed to moisturize.  Luckily I found the Kimmaytube recipe on Youtube and this gave new life to my KCKT.  This didn't make my hair soft initially either, but the dried result was wonderful.  It keeps my hair moisturized for days; LOVE IT!!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Curl Envy: Shingai Shoniwa

In an effort to retain every inch of hair that grows out of my scalp, I have to take a cue from the queen of updos/protective styling/fabulous hair, Shingai Shoniwa. As lead singer and bassist of UK indie rock band Noisettes, Shingai not only impressed me with her hair, she is a wonder on the chords and the mic.







I used to hear this song everyday at work!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Curl Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross

Can I talk about Curl Envy and not mention T.E.R.?  Nope, not at all.  Tracee or Joan Clayton (as I still refer to her as) is by far everyone's favorite curly girl.  She definitely taught our generation how to be fly, big hair and all!






Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Product Review: Pantene Pro-V Curly Series (Dry to Moisturized)


After watching TLC Extreme Couponing, I became a little extreme about couponing and sampling.  I went to the Proctor & Gamble website and signed up to receive free samples and coupons for their products.  One of the sample categories was hair; I had the option of choosing between their new "hair type" products.  So out of the fine, medium-thick, color treated and curly, I chose.......CURLY!

When I received the products last week, I wasn't too thrilled.  I read the ingredients on the shampoo and saw Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, and Cocamidopropyl Betaine; really, all three!  However, I wanted to try the products together, so I drenched my hair with aloe vera juice, olive oil, and coconut oil to protect my strands against the harsh detergents.  I can't give a review on the shampoo because I only lathered once and with the help of the pre-shampoo treatment my hair did not feel stripped at all.  Thank God!

Directly after I rinsed the shampoo, I applied the conditioner and OMG!  My hair had so much slip; my fingers glided through my hair like a hot knife through butter.  For those of you that don't understand, slip is a big deal for us kinky curly girls. 

Even though I was amazed by the results of this conditioner, remember just last week I said I had enough conditioner to last me the rest of the year.  Well, the fact that I fell in love with this product is not helping my will power.  I also said that I would only buy natural products and this conditioner doesn't fall in that category either..SIGH!  I need an product junkie intervention.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Movies: No Strings Attached

This movie is going into my romantic comedy hall of fame!  I laughed like shit and cried like a damn baby.  Oh, and whoever did the music in the film is genius.  Hello, opening scene:  Color Me Badd's classic "I Wanna Sex You Up", what!  Then, the mariachi band playing the Pussy Cat Doll's "Don't Cha" and let me not forget the folk rock band playing Jay-Z's "99 problems".  There were so many unexpected EARGASMs throughout.

On the surface the movie was about sex, but it was deeper than that for me.  It also reversed most "friends with benefits" scenarios.  Usually, it's the women who are left wanting more, but this movie sure did turn the tables.  That was refreshing to watch; I'm sure a lot of men will like that as well!

Overall, I thought the movie was great and a must see (if you like romantic comedies).  Natalie Portman's character reminded me of myself; the typical unaffectionate girl that refuses to get hurt, so she walks around with a hard exterior like nothing affects her when in fact, it does.  It made me realize that I need to get it together before I end up alone!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Curl Envy: Naomi Allen


Naomi Allen is 1/4 of the R&B Super Girl Power Group Electrik Red.   Now, because I am a self-proclaimed hair fanatic, when I first discovered Electrik Red back in early 2009, of course I noticed Naomi first.  Then again, I couldn't help but notice how familiar all of these ladies were because I'd seen them or at least one of them dance or star in every single video from 1999 to now, lol.  
This side sweep has been my latest signature style







Tuesday, January 18, 2011

EARGASM: Tinie Tempah "Pass Out"

I need to move to London; I always feel like they're always ahead of us musically. This song is so dynamic! It combines hip-hop with a little reggae and a fist-pumping pop ending that makes me wish I was at Karma on the Jersey Shore!

My Hair: Post BC

twist-out
A lot of people have been asking to see pictures of my hair since I did my big chop 2 weeks ago.  I'm still getting used to it; my hair hasn't been this short in years.  However, I've been styling it short for the last six months to get accustomed to the length.  It feels so good to have all of my natural texture back and it's so much easier to deal with.  I'm in love all over again!

After my BC, my hair measured between 5.5 and 7 inches stretched.  That shortest section is definitely a cutting error on my part; I was trying to make sure all the damage was gone.  The difference between cutting heat damaged hair versus relaxed hair is the distinct line of demarcation.  There were several sections of my hair that were still curly, so it was hard to judge where my natural curl pattern began.  I'll even it out eventually, but no time soon. 

I can see where I cut too much length, oh well!

Another New Year's resolution was to start using products with better ingredients.  I've started, but after watching TLC's Extreme Couponing, I bought some of my old drugstore staples.   I justified this by repeating "they were on sale and I had coupons".  I have enough conditioner to last a full year, so I am on a personal challenge to not buy anymore conditioner for the rest of 2011. 

Monday, January 17, 2011

EARGASM: Snoop Dogg "Wet"/ "Sweat"

Calling all strippers; here's your new solo!!!! Although I'm not too fond of the video or the actual content of the song, this beat rocks and it is definitely a club banger!

Friday, January 14, 2011

EARGASM: The 3nity Hip Hop Show

Wow, what an incredible show! This video showcases incredible talent from the DMV area including Hassani Kwess, D'Wayne, Courtney Salter, BlackSand, and M1 Platoon. Check out D'Wayne, on 3nity's upcoming mixtape Mindflow. ENJOY!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Say Yes to Dress!!

Over the past few months I've been quite the insomniac, making my usual bedtime around 3am.  Sometime last week, after flipping channels for about an hour, I finally decided to watch TLC's Say Yes to the Dress.  I'm usually not a fan of wedding shows because of my unwillingness to elope.  Not to mention, I usually get irritated behind all the money spent on weddings anyway.  So, within the first 20 minutes of the show I'm already annoyed by the brides and their families, but I continue to watch because I am easily entertained.   During the last 10 minutes or so, they showed a P'nina Tornai gown and I fell in love.  For the first time ever I pictured myself in a wedding dress on my wedding day.

Everything about that gown was authentic Aja.  The next day, I google stalked the designers collections from 2008 to now and I was impressed.  For the first time ever I wanted to actually get married and have a real wedding.  For years, I've told friends and family that courthouse nuptials would do me just fine.  While that still may be the case, I want a dress, that dress to be exact.  Although I couldn't find pictures of the gown, this bodice below is almost identical.

I absolutely love this bodice!


The trumpet style silhouette is amazing!

Monday, January 10, 2011

EARGASM: Jessie J "Do It Like a Dude"

Let's talk about "dumbed down" studio vocals! Case #1, Jessie J. "Do it Like a Dude"

Listen to the Acoustic, live version:



Now check out the video for the official edit of the song:




This is why when I discover a new artist, I do my research. This girl is absolutely amazing, but based on her debut I would have dismissed her obvious talent.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Movies: Black Swan

I haven't done a movie post in a long time and I am a little late with this review considering I saw the movie 2 weeks ago!  I am going to try and give a review without spoiling the movie, I guess.

There are so many dynamics to this movie, but for some reason I can't seem to get pass this one aspect. I think Natalie Portman deserves any nomination that she receives for her role as Nina Sayers. I absolutely loathed her character; there is something unattractive and off-putting about a weak, fragile, overly-sheltered adult that I can not stand! She captured this brilliantly! The irony is that most people would assume that this upbringing would be close to impossible in a city like New York.

Another strong message was the "suicide of the creative process". Yes, I just created the phrase, lol. When the first line in the job description is to be the best at what you do or else, the pressure never stops. For someone like Nina Sayers, it was enough to drive her insane. She had never stepped outside of her boundaries, both at work and at home.  In order to capture the role of the Black Swan she had to do just that. Darren Aronofsky did a great job at paralleling the progression of Nina to the actual ballet Swan Lake.  She was her own worst enemy and biggest competitor during the creative process.  In order to be the star, she had to kill the competition. 


Friday, January 7, 2011

Curl Envy: Joy Denalane

If your a hair obsessed product junkie like myself, I'm sure you belong to a hair forum and or fotki and have seen pictures of the lovely Joy Denalane for inspiration. Her curls are to be envied and her voice, a force to be reckon with. I didn't discover Joy the organic way; I was more interested in her hair than anything else. However, one day a couple of years back, I discovered her English album "Born and Raised" (2006) and fell in love with the artist.  She recorded the album in Philly and where was I when she graced the land where I once lived?  Hmmmmm....



My favorite look of hers













Thursday, January 6, 2011

Monday, January 3, 2011

First Resolution of the New Year...Check!!!

As you may know, I suffered pretty severe heat damage to my hair from constant direct heat (blow-dryers, flat irons, etc) which left my natural hair in a relaxed state.   So, as of November 2009, I have been on a heat hiatus, re-claiming my natural kinks, curls, and coils.  I contemplated cutting my hair for the New Year, but I got scared.  I remembered when I shaved my head in 2002, as it grew out, the TWA (teeny-weeny afro) was not my friend.  I resorted to all sorts of scarfs to hide my hair.  This feeling haunted me for the last few months and told myself over and over again to WAIT!

Well, after a comforting conversation with one of my friends/big sister/fellow natural, I decided to just do it.  So, this morning at 12am I did the BC (big chop) for the third time.

To follow my hair journey from 2004 to now, click here!

don't be grossed out, it's just my hair in the sink!