Let’s do hair!

4-Must-Haves for Your Washing Regimen for Natural Hair

Cleanser

It doesn’t matter what type of cleanser you choose. Some naturals like moisturizing shampoos while others prefer no-sulfate shampoos. Whatever your preference, you need to have some sort of product or cleanser as part of your regimen to get rid of sweat, dead skin, and product buildup on your scalp.

Deep Conditioner

After you cleanse, you have to put that moisture back into your hair somehow! There are a number of great homemade deep conditioner options as well as deep conditioner products found in markets, so you can choose the best method that fits your needs and budget.

Leave-In Conditioner

There are many girls (bbgirls!?) who leave this step out after washing their hair. They figure, “If I’ve already deep conditioned, then why should I use a leave-in?” If your hair is anything like most naturals, you should already know the answer. Moisture! Moisture is one of the most important things for the health of natural hair, so it’s important to get as much of it as your hair needs. Whether you choose a creamy leave-in or a water based option, these products can add an extra boost of protection to your hair after you’ve washed out your deep conditioner.

Sealant

Many naturals know that sealants are important, but you may not understand why. After adding all this moisture boosting conditioner, it’s important to “seal” the moisture into your hair so that it can stay that way for a longer time.

So what sealant should you use? Whatever your hair likes! If your hair loves thick products, go with natural Shea Butter or try coconut or olive oil.

Now that you’ve chosen your sealant, you need to apply it. Since your ends are the driest, most breakage-prone part of our hair, you should focus on that area the most when applying sealant for added moisture protection and enhanced length retention.

BH Cosmetics Day & Night Palette

BH Day & Night Palette contains 60 shades in both matte and shimmer finishes. The palette is split in half where one side (left side) is for day and the other (right side) is for night. Many of the day shades are neutral and pastel, allowing you to create a fun and flirty look. The night shades are deep, royal, and jewel-toned, allowing you to create a trendy smoky eye. The pans are rather small but you get 60 different colors.

Ear Cuffs .....

These accessories have been around for a while and came back into fashion about last year-ish. 

I think they could make an excellent addition when matched right. Even celebrities such as Rihanna and Alicia Keys love them. 

They're mostly quite affordable but of course, if you want some real bling ... you pay for it!

Feast your eyes on my favourites ….

Ear Cuffs!?

hmmmm ....

BBgirls, Let's do "Liquid Gold" - Part 1

Actually I’m referring to Argan oil, it’s produced from an Argan nut coming from the Argan tree (too much “Argan” shei!), which only grows in South-western Morocco.

Local Berber women work in fair-trade cooperatives where they hand-crack the argan nuts in between two stones, a technique they’ve used for centuries. Instead of being put through a machine, the raw argan kernels are hand-extracted from the hard shell, hand-ground in a stone grinder, hand-kneaded for hours and first cold-pressed into the oil. It takes one woman three days to make just one liter of oil (wahala!). This is why argan oil is so valuable aka liquid gold (and bloody expensive too – for pure oil).

It’s chockfull of essential fatty acids, anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals that promote your overall health by moisturizing, softening as well as protecting your face and hair from sun damage – without harmful toxins and Parabens (please check your cosmetics ingredients for this).

Below are 10 ways to use organic argan oil in your daily life:

1. Face Moisturizer - After cleansing morning and/or night, massage a few drops of argan oil directly onto your face and neck. Since argan is considered a dry oil, it absorbs quickly and is not greasy. If you want to use it as a serum, apply your night cream after the oil absorbs into the skin.

2. Hydrating Toner – Add a few drops of argan oil to your favorite facial toner to hydrate and tone simultaneously. You can make your own toner by adding a few drops of argan oil to Rose or Orange Blossom water.

3. Rejuvenating & Brightening Face Mask – Add a few drops of argan oil to your store-bought mask. Alternatively, make your own mask by mixing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 3 teaspoons of Greek-style yogurt, 1 tablespoon of honey and 3 drops of argan oil in a bowl. Apply on a clean, dry face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

4. Exfoliating Lip Scrub and Moisturizer – To smooth and moisturize your lips, add a few drops of argan oil and vanilla extract to fine brown sugar. Lightly massage into lips using circular motion and rinse off.

5. Face Glow – Add a drop or two of argan oil to your foundation, bronzer or tinted moisturizer for a dewy, luminous glow.

6. Leave-on Conditioner – After the shower, while your hair is still wet, add a few drops of argan oil to your hair, ends and scalp to hydrate and moisturize. It’s especially nourishing if your hair is dry from daily use of a blow dryer, straight-iron or curling iron.

7. Hair Styling Shine – When your hair is dry, use as a styling product by adding a few drops of argan oil to the palms of your hand. Rub your hands together and run your fingers through your hair to create shine and tame frizz. You only need a small amount. It lasts a long time.

8. Overnight Hair Treatment – Massage a generous amount of argan oil into your hair, ends and scalp. Wrap your hair and leave it on while you sleep. In the morning, wash your hair and you’ll have luminous, soft locks.

9. Cuticle and Heel Softener – Massage a few drops of argan oil into your cuticles to soften, moisturize and encourage nail growth. Use as an overnight treatment to nourish cracked heels by working a good amount into your feet and toes. Cover with socks and wake up to supple feet.
10. Body and Bath Oil – Add a few drops of argan oil directly onto your skin, into the bath or body lotion. It’s safe to use on a baby and to help minimize stretch marks on a pregnant belly too.

Applying Foundation

Before applying foundation, always prepare your skin. First by exfoliating which will remove the build up of dead cells and polish your skin providing a smooth, even canvas for cosmetics. In the next step use moisturiser with the right formulation for your skin tone.

When applying a foundation, try to use a few different colours because as you will find with darker skin tones there are darker tones around your forehead and the chin and lighter through the centre. If you were to match it to the forehead then your skin would look darker through the centre of your face and that wouldn’t be flattering. It’s a shame that people often apply foundation in one flat colour which makes their face look just so ashy.

Dark skin is best highlighted with harmonious colours that show it in its best light, and there’s a huge range of shades you can use to achieve this. MAC is fantastic for darker skin tones as their products come in so many different colours. And they do so many types of textured foundations so you have got something for everyone.  You can try variations on beige with light reflecting shimmer, peach for a healthy glow, and golden ochre to illuminate the face.

A tip: after you've moisturised your skin but before applying the foundation, spritz your skin with MAC Fix+. It will really help the moisturiser to come back to the surface.

Fix +  is an aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi. Adds radiance, finishes makeup.

Fabulous hats & headpieces

Some of them cost an arm and a leg including more than a pound of flesh ;-)
 they may not even protect you completely from the sun (abeg the sun can chill small, some are not even meant for protection) but hey that’s fashion and they definitely look gorgeous! One-offs and regular wear … feast your eyes on what we choose to call W.O.W. pieces!!

Miracle Suits for bbgirls!

Ever heard of waist cinchers?

What!?

Where have you been? You mean you haven’t discovered them yet!?

 
Get some awesome curves faster than you can spell “B A B E”. They help suck in that tummy and emphasis fantastic hips quick quick. Ideally, you want to naturally lose the extra luggage and get into shape naturally but nothing says you can’t look great in the meantime … besides, how would he know (except he’s your husband!). The best thing is that there’s a size available for most women! 

They also come in a variety of styles, just get one fairly comfortable so that you won’t boil in the heat.