Sunday, February 27, 2011

EARGASM: Throwback

"She's just like you and me, but she's homeless, she's homeless"!

ETA: Yes, that is Flex Alexander in the video, lol.

Product Review: Giovanni 50-50 Balanced Kit

If you are a product junkie like myself, than you already know that some of the best buys for hair and body care are found at TJX stores (Marshalls, TJ-Maxx, and HomeGoods).  Whenever I visit these stores, I never leave without some type of cosmetic.  I really have a serious issue!

On my most recent trip to TJ-Maxx, I found a Giovanni 50-50 Balanced kit for $12.99.  It included the Vitapro Fusion Leave-In Hair Treatment, Hydrating Clarifying Shampoo, and Hydrating Calming Conditioner.  All products were full size, so it was a definite must have.   Although, I've only used one of their products, I am very familiar with the Giovanni brand and it's philosophy.  My first introduction was the Giovanni Direct Leave-In (which I still have to try). 

This past Wednesday, I washed and conditioned with the shampoo and it was wonderful.  It is sulfate-free with low suds and my hair felt clean and not stripped.  I followed with the conditioner and I absolutely fell in love.  For years, I've used conditioners full of silicones just to get that slippery, easy to detangle feeling.  I finally found something just as good without all of the harsh ingredients.  After that, I used the leave-in and it was just okay; I'm sure I'll like the Direct Leave-In much better for my natural styles.  I will definitely save the VitaPro Fusion for straightening.

 Here are the products in the kit :



 Ingredients: Aqua (purified water) with rosemary (Rosmariuns officianalis) oil, nettle (Uritaca dioca) oil, thyme (thymus vulgaris) oil, birch leaf (butela alba) oil, chamomile (anthemis nobilis flower) oil, clary (salvia sclarea), lavender (lavendula angustifolia), coltsfoot leaf (tussilago farfara), yarrow (achillea millefolium) oil, mallow (malva sylvestris), horsetail (equistetum arvense) oil, soybean protein (glycine soja), tocopherol (vitamin E), trace minerals, PVP, citric acid (corn), sodium hydrozymethylgycinate, grapefruit seed (citrus derived), fragrance with essential oils. *Certified Organic by Guaranteed Certification Services.
Ingredients: Aqua (purified water) with *rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) oil, *nettle (Uritica dioica) oil, *thyme (Thymus vulagris) oil, birch leaf (Butela alba) oil, *chamomile (Anthemis nobilus flower) oil, *clary (Salvia sclarea), *lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), *coltsfoot leaf (Tussilago farfara), *yarrow (Achillea millefolium) oil, *mallow (Malva sylvestris), *horsetail (Equistetum arvense) oil, *soybean protein (Glycine soja), C12-14 olefin sulfonate (coconut derived), cocamidopropyl betaine, tocopherol (vitamin E), trace minerals, citric acid (corn), sodium hydroxymethyglycinate, sodium chloride (sea salt), grapefruit seed (citrus derived).
Ingredients: Aqua (purified water) , rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, urtica dioica (nettle) extract, thymus vulgaris (thyme) extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) extract, salvia sclarea (lcary) leaf extract, lavendula angustifolia (lavender), tussilago farfara (coltsfoot) flower extract, achillea miliefolium (yarrow) extract, seed extract, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, glycerin, brassicamidopropyl dimethylamine, panthenol, cetrimonium chloride, cetearyl alcohol, hydroxypropyl guar, behentrimonium methosulfate, polysorbate 60, citric acid, disodium EDTA, ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol, fragrance with essential oils.

Friday, February 25, 2011

EARGASM: Partners in Rhyme "Wolfmode"

Check out the latest from Partners in Rhyme (Ty McFly and Hollywood P.)


PARTNERS IN RHYME - WOLFMODE [PRODUCED BY TY MCFLY] by 89twenty


Movies: Unknown

With claims like "The Bourne Identity and Taken in one", I was very excited to see this movie.  I was SO disappointed!  Without spoiling it, I will say that I was expecting much more than it delivered.  I'm usually good at piecing suspense films together, but they got me (it gets an A for that).

If you don't go in with high expectations, you will most likely enjoy this movie.  If you are a fan of Taken and the Bourne trilogy; try not to compare, it will only ruin your experience.


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Curl Envy: Nicki Minaj

I thought this post would never exist. In fact, I wrote a Curl Envy: Not Quite post about her angular curly fro wig. After seeing these latest flicks in BlackBook Magazine, I digress. She had this bad boy reshaped and it looks amazing!!  Go Nicki!!

P.S. Whoever styled her in this shoot is a beast, this is the best I've ever seen of her!





Monday, February 21, 2011

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Friday, February 18, 2011

Color Crush

It's been really warm lately and have the urge to color my hair.  Is that weird?  It's been a while since my hair has been this short and I need some pizazz. I love the way light colors give natural hair dimension, so I'm thinking about going light this spring/summer. However, I want my hair to reach it's full potential without any added damage.  I'm no stranger to hair color, in fact, my hair was colored for about 7 of the 9 years I've been natural. Although I didn't experience a lot of noticeable breakage, my hair never grew past my bra strap.  Maybe I'll compromise with a few highlights in the crown; I'm so confused.

I really like this color, but fear my hair will gradually break off

Monday, February 14, 2011

The Grammys 2011

Although I've heard Bruno perform much better; I loved the combined performance! If you missed it, enjoy!




2112132494
Uploaded by yardie4lifever2. - See video of the biggest web video personalities.


If you were confused why Gwyneth Paltrow performed with Cee-Lo Green you are obviously not a fan of Glee.


Cee Lo Green Grammy Performance 2011
Uploaded by PopulerMuziginRenkleri. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Rihanna, Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Skylar Grey


Eminem, Dr. Dre, Rihanna & Skylar Grey - Medley (Grammy A.)
Uploaded by wonderful-life1989. - Watch more music videos, in HD!


I actually liked Rihanna and Drake's performance, but I can't find a good video. Check back later.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Frugalista: William Rast for Target Clearance

william rast for target lookbook Pictures, Images and PhotosWhen this collection released, I went to my local Target to check out the threads in person.  Unfortunately, my Target was late and it did not debut it on-time.  I went back later that week and got a good glimpse of the line and I thought it was nice.  There was nothing outstanding about it, but it was certainly "cute".

Yesterday, while on a mission at Target looking for Covergirl's answer to MAC's Ruby Woo red lipstick, my step dad picked up a leather jacket and said "is this lambskin?".  I quickly darted over to him and upon further inspection it was the infamous $200 William Rast for Target lambskin leather jacket that I apparently missed during my other visits.  Not only was the quality of this jacket exceptional, it was on CLEARANCE and it was my size.

I was afraid to put the jacket down.  I held it under my arm as I looked through my beloved boy's section and then cosmetics.  After searching relentlessly for Covergirl's Lip Perfection in Hot Passion (305), they didn't have it.  Target.com had the lipstick cheapest at $5.99.  However, my Target (which I am learning is not so great) didn't have any of the Lip Perfection line at all.  I ended up getting it from Rite Aid for $7.19.  By the way, the lipstick is amazing and I'll have a review with pictures very soon.

So, what happened with the jacket?  I bought it..................



Thursday, February 10, 2011

Water!!!



On February 1st, I decided to join thousands of other naturals to take the Kim Coles grow-out challenge.
Besides documenting my hair growth, I am also expected to drink tons of water (half of my body weight).  I barely get down a bottle a day and now I have to drink (4) 16.9 fl oz. bottles.

So far I've been a champ! I'm proud of myself, and so anxious to see how this benefits my body inside and out.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

EARGASM: Nikki Jean "Sunshine"

It's almost Valentine's Day and I'm feeling the love even though I'm happily single.  Every now and then when I hear songs like "Sunshine" by Nikki Jean, I get the urge to fall head over heels in love with somebody (just for a moment).

If Nikki sounds or looks familiar it's because of her feature on Lupe Fiasco's "Hip Hop Saved My Life"

Sunday, February 6, 2011

My Hair: 2011 Hair Goals

Me with one of my head wraps

According to a friend of mine, "your hair better be down to your butt, because you're always doing it".  Although that would be nice and it is a long-term goal of mine, let's be a little more realistic.  By the end of the year, I hope that my longest stretched layer is APL (Arm-pit length). I think this is attainable and now that I have my new styling method down to a science I'm going to tweak my regimen to make sure that I retain most of my length.

I'll be coming up on my 9 year natural anniversary in July.  It's very disappointing that it's taken me 3 BCs and 2 heat damage setbacks to finally take my hair seriously forever.  I've had healthy hair spurts for a year or 2 and then become vain or try to please a man who'd rather see my hair straight (side-eye).  I guess you can say that I've learned my lesson; because look what pleasing other people got me.

As of right now, this is my regimen:

***Every step is done in 4 sections***

Shampoo:  twice a month (bi-weekly) using any Sulfate-free shampoo

Co-Wash:  twice a month (bi-weekly) using EO Lemon Verbena Essentials Clarifying Formula Conditioner or Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Threat Invigorating Conditioner

Condition:  after each shampoo I deep condition with Aussie Moist 3-minute Miracle or Garnier Frutis 3-Minute Undo Dryness Reversal Treatment

Detangling: I detangle during co-washing and conditioning with the Ouidad Double Detangler

Leave In ConditionerKinky Curly's Knot Today with a kick also known as the Kimmaytube Leave-In
  • 2 tablespoons of KCKT
  • 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera Juice
  • 1 teaspoon of Castor Oil
  • 1 teaspoon of Jojoba Oil
Mix Well!!

Before I apply my leave-in, I absorb excess water with my microfiber hair turban.  For soft fluffy twists or a twist-outs, I apply Oyin Handmade's Hair Dew (I'll review later).  If I want a little extra hold I'll use Ouidad Climate Control Gel, when this is all gone, I'll try everyone's favorite Ecostyler Gel.

I section and brush through with my Denman brush and proceed with small-medium twists.  I usually air dry, but sometimes I utilize my Gold 'N' Hot bonnet dryer.  I usually untwist when dry, but sometimes I keep it twisted for days. At night, I apply my own whipped shea butter recipe and retwist in large sections and cover with a satin bonnet (and sleep as wild as I want to).  In the morning, I untwist and refresh with Oyin Handmade's Frank Juice and that's it!  My hair usually lasts until my next wash day; if not, I get out my head wraps and get my old school Erykah Badu on!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

EARGASM: Jessie J. ft. B.O.B. "Price Tag"

Curl Envy: A Different World Edition


I love A Different World, and I still watch this show faithfully like it never ended.  I don't care if I've seen an episode 100 times, my eyes are glued to the TV like it just premiered.

As I look back, I can't believe it only lasted 6 years.  I feel like I was robbed. I liked The Cosby Show, but A Different World had to be the most dope spin-off of all time.  My favorite season would have to be when the world was introduced to Miss "Kinu Owens"; Whitley was so freaking vulnerable and I absolutely loved it.

Not only was I raised by this show, it sort of started my lust for big hair.  I know I talk about hair a lot and I won't stop...SORRY.  I watch certain commercials just to see glimpses of big hair; it's my strange addiction.  Anyway, enough about me, check out some of my favorite heads of hair from the show (Cree Summer, Jasmine Guy, and Lisa Bonet).















Tuesday, February 1, 2011