Let Me Introduce You To Some Of My Friends

Once upon a time, I worked as the freelance Healthy Beauty Awards assistant at Self magazine. It was a fun, fun time (and by fun I mean stressful as fuck).

I learned a lot and tried lots of new products and met some awesome ladies who happened to be my co-workers.

Two years later, Johanna, Pia and Runa (and Keli who I met through Pia and Runa) are still some of my favorite people on the planet.

And they're also my personal beauty gurus. Pia did my eye makeup in the bathroom of some club in Bay Ridge once because I looked so plain-jane-blah. I think it was Bay Ridge. I'm not sure where we were. Blame it on the alcohol, I'm a lightweight.

They also keep it real. Like the time Johanna told me my all-natural deodorant was NOT working.

If that's not friendship, I don't know what is.

Check out their sites: Mamalatinas.net (http://articles.mamaslatinas.com/blogger/37/johanna_ferreira)

Xovain.com (http://www.xovain.com/author/pia-and-runa)

Not Mandatory But Freaking Good: Urbanbushbabes.com

 

I am OBSESSED with my hair people. It's the healthiest relationship I have. I spend more time on my hair than I spend on any other part of my body because it's important to me that it's healthy.

Haha, I like how I just outed myself; "fuck exercising, my hair is more important".

But I'm sure I'm not the only woman (or man) that feels that way...

Anyway, I've been growing out my curly hair for almost two years now. I love going on Youtube and watching tutorials on ways to keep it moisturized, combat split ends and stuff like that. And I have a whole folder of pics of women called my "Hairspiration Box"(which I've written about before). Nothing motivates me more than seeing someone with a head of big hair.

That's why I'm loving Urbanbushbabes.com.I discovered the site after browsing besties Cipriana and Nikisha's hair videos on Youtube.

The two ladies write about their hair journeys, and give great tips on getting the best hair ever. EVER.

Both women take turns posting which is great because they have different hair types and therefore different hair regimens.

Cipriana and Nikisha aren't only rocking some enviable tresses, they are super-cute!

I love their style, I love their personalities, I love their site. Love love love.

Check it out and let me know what you think peeps : )

Fox Cancels Glee Because Stars Change Hair.

Sike!

Wouldn't that suck, though? It'd be like "way to go Dianna and Chord! You guys ruined everything. So selfish."

It's not like that hasn't happened before...

*cough - Felicity - cough*

Dianna Agron is rocking a new bob cut and Chord Overstreet's went over to the dark side. So for those freaking out, chill. They're on break from Glee, hair grows back and people have been getting a head of sun kissed tresses with the help of peroxide for years.

It's all going to be okay.

Let's Talk Beauty

Once upon a time, I worked for Self magazine . I was hired to help out with the Healthy Beauty Awards (check out the winners here). It was a lot of fun. Not only did I meet some pretty awesome ladies (now friends), I went home with a crap-load of products!

Picture a room where every closet is overflowing with shampoos, body butters, lipsticks, bath salts. EVERYTHING. If it was a beauty related product, it was in the closet.

It was a magical time readers. A very magical time.

Unfortunately, my days at Self were numbered. Sad, I know, but I did get to take products home with me. And believe me, I did. I worked at Self around the holiday season so everyone's present was beauty related last year.

Of course, I took products home for myself as well. My room looks like a mini Sephora. I don't like to go crazy but I always took home different hair products, body lotions, hand creams and face creams.

Out of all of the products I've tested, the following are my favorites!

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense: $78.00
Now I know it's stupid expensive but this product is amazing. I have had acne since I was nine years old (I got smacked with puberty early).

Anyway because of my long history with zits, my face looks like a chocolate chip cookie; I've got all different shades of brown on there. So I asked one of my bosses what she recommended for acne scars and hyper-pigmentation and she handed me Skin + Age Defense. I've been using it for about four months now and my skin definitely looks more even.

The bottle is small but you really don't need much (I still have about two months left in mine). I try to apply it at night so I avoid the sun. Like a vampire.

Frederic Fekkai Essential Shea Tame and Style Pot De Creme: $35.00
As many of you know, I cut off all of my processed hair and started growing it out again. My hair is super curly and easily dries out. I prefer wash n' go styles but most styling products leave my curls looking defined but feeling crunchy.

Who wants crunchy hair?

Anyway, Fekkai's Pot De Creme is fantastic because it leaves my curls looking super defined and feeling incredibly soft. I wash and condition my hair, and then spray it with my leave-in and then I apply some of the creme. And then I shake my head around to separate the curls. After that first wash, all I have to do is wet my hair to reactivate the product. It's like magic.

So I love this product. I've got big lusty love for it. Nothing has come close to working as well. The only thing I don't love is the fragrance. It's really strong.

Really strong.

So I hope they'll come out with an unscented version one day.


Farmhouse Fresh Hello! Yellow Shea Butter Cream: $30.00
Sprinkled with natural vanilla and citrus oils - Hello! Yellow is the happiest of creams -- transporting your mind with just one sniff to a warm beach with sun on your face. A truly uplifting experience each time you lift the cap!

Yep, that pretty much sums up this body cream. Winter was brutal in New York and nothing lifted my spirits like this. And I smelled yummy : )

Farmhouse Fresh One Fine Day Flawless Face Polish: $25.00
This cleanser/exfoliator is awesome awesome awesome! I love it because it leaves my skin feeling clean and moisturized. I prefer to use it at night and it's definitely a must during winter though I may shelve it during the warmer months.

Fresh Brown Sugar Bath & Shower Gel: $18.50
Out of all the products I've tested, this is my all time favorite. It's not the shower gel, it's the citrusy, sugary scent. I want to EAT IT! You guys, it smells so goooooood. You don't understand how hard it's been to find a scent I like that doesn't make me sneeze. So when I was in LA, I went to the Fresh store and checked out their other Brown Sugar products.

Let's just say, I'm letting everyone know what I want for my birthday this year.

P.S. All of their scents smell great!

Better Butters By Sheago After Shower Splash in Mango Pulp: $16.99
Another scent I was feeling (though not nearly as much as Brown Sugar) was this Mango Pulp splash. It's a light body oil in a spray bottle and it's yummy. I spray it on my body and on my hair and it leaves a light fragrance behind. The coconut scent is great too.

Butter London All Hail The Queen: $14.00
I'm not big on nail polish mainly because I'm too broke to get manis and pedis and too lazy to do them myself. Or I was before I discovered this nail polish. It's simple; I wear it because I love the color. It's a grayish brownish toffee-like kind of goldish beige shade.

So now I polish my toes all the time. Of course it doesn't hurt that it's free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP Color and Carcinogens.

While this was released as a winter shade, nude colors are totally on trend for Spring.

If you guys happen to try any of these products out, let me know what you think! Also, check out my friend (and former co-worker) Angelica's blog for a look at the work we did for Self's Healthy Beauty Awards.

What Do You Use for Your Pits?

The world of beauty is an intimidating one. It feels like there are a gazillion products on the market right now dedicated to enlarging this and minimizing that, highlighting and contouring this feature, covering up that flaw.

It's exhausting.

One area of the body I wish people actually dedicated more time to? Underarms. Yes, I want more than a few Dove commercials.

See the problem is I’m human and I sweat. I wouldn't say I have apocalyptic body odor (I bathe daily) but I am a little obsessive compulsive about smells and have been known to do armpit checks throughout the day.

Here's the other problem: I am very anal about what I put on my body. Yes, I'm one of those "the skin is the biggest organ, chemicals should not be touching it, if you wouldn't eat it why would you lather it on" snobs. See, Aluminum Chlorohydrate is one of the most common active ingredients in commercial antiperspirants. It’s also linked to Alzheimer’s disease and Breast cancer. So Secret or Degree just isn’t going to cut it.

I purchased an organic deodorant called Crystal Essence! It’s made of natural mineral salts and the one I bought is “infused with the refreshing aroma of pomegranate”. It’s supposed to create an invisible protective barrier against odor protecting bacteria and the pomegranate is supposed to promote skin regeneration. Sounds promising, right? It also doesn’t hurt that Crystal Essence is endorsed by Cancer Treatment Centers.

When I started using this product I loved it but I didn't want to write a review before giving it some time to fail me. Nine months later, I can say that while it's not the perfect product, it's a great alternative. Keep in mind that this product is not an anti-perspirant but a deodorant. So its job is to make your pits smell good and that it does. It hasn't kept things under the arms dry.

Huge Pro:

My armpits look fantastic so I guess all that talk about pomegranate promoting skin regeneration is true. Other deodorants irritated my skin and made it feel clammy to the touch. Crystal Essence has not only taken care of the clammy skin problem but it's minimized the discoloration under there too.

Huge Con:

It really does nothing to prevent me from sweating which is unfortunate. I reapply the product throughout the day. So if you’re like me and you’re used to wearing an anti-perspirant, natural deodorants take some getting used to.

That’s all folks.

As always, if anyone finds a better product, let me know por favor.

How Do You Fight The Flab?

"Cher, I don't want to do this anymore. And my buns: they don't feel nothin' like steel."
Tai. Clueless

Help me ladies, I'm ten seconds away from throwing a paper bag over my head and never leaving my side of the room again (throws herself on pillow dramatically) : (

I have a dilemma.

I've always been proud of my body. Walk around in my underwear proud. It's not that my body is banging; I just believe in embracing the body you were born with. So I never had a desire to be Victoria Secret model thin; I don't mind being between a size eight and ten and I don't mind the fact that my thighs touch when I walk.

So exercising is something I just can't get motivated to do. I know I should but I eat pretty healthy (vegan) and I walk 20 mins a day to and from the subway station. It's not cardio but it's something. Needless to say, I've been pretty comfortable with my body.

That was before Spring came, I got rid of my layers and looked at what was underneath them.

Everything. On. Me. Jiggles. EVERYTHING. It's like I woke up one morning and became the Jello Lady. Have I always been this flabby? If yes, why didn't anyone tell me?!?

I don't mind being on the curvy side but I do mind being unhealthy. And this can't be healthy can it?

So I need help! How do I turn my flab into muscle without my breasts turning into pecs?

I can't afford to hit the gym but I have some dvds at home that I can blow the dust off of...

Should I start jumping rope?

What do you guys do to stay in shape?

Do You Fake A Natural Look?

I was reading this interesting post about women in the industry who go bare at work.

I'm talking about no makeup.

Duh.

There was a time when the most makeup I wore was mascara. That was until I was preparing for my first industry event and my boss asked me to "do something" about my face. To be honest, I'm not that big on makeup. I wish I could get away with not really wearing any.
I wish I had the type of skin that I could wear naked. But alas, I was given a face prone to acne.

Tis my lot in life.


While I'm not a Joy Bryant,


I certainly don't feel the need to be a Kim Kardashian.


So I go for my "natural but not really look".

These are the products I use.

Bare Minerals
Maybelline XXl Pro
Lip Balm and lipgloss
Brown Eyeshadow
Clear Mascara for eyebrows

Does anyone else have a "faux natural" routine?

I Like Curls, Curls, Curls, Curls

I’m an obsessive compulsive nerd.

This is charming to most people so it’s okay. But I know how abnormal it is to literally spend hours thinking about the most frivolous, unimportant things. I blame this on an overactive imagination and too much time spent entertaining myself as a child. Yes this is your fault mom and dad.

That was my disclaimer. On to the post!

So as I mentioned earlier, I got to go backstage at the Mackage show for fashion week. It was awesome, I had a great time and I got to interview Tippi Shorter!!!! Yes, I got to interview the lady who gives Alicia Keys every hairstyle I’ve ever coveted.

If you read the interview, you know I told her I was her hair stalker. Well I didn’t include the ten minute badgering that proceeded. I saw Tippi’s head of sexy, structured curls and I. Had. To. Have. Them.

Lucky for me, Tippi is as nice as they come and she answered all my questions about her style secrets. But I wasn’t satisfied. Seeing Tippi’s hair made me miss my curls. I have conveniently forgotten how hard it was to manage them.

All I know is I WANT CURLY HAIR AGAIN. I love curly hair. I do! What can I say? It’s epic. And straight hair is so boring to me now.

Just look at the photo of us above. Tippi: rockstar. Me: yawn.

So now I’m having a curly hair moment. These “moments” occur about every two years for me (last time it was a Josephine Baker moment).

I went home that day and proceeded to create my curly hair box because that’s what I do when I plan; I create virtual boxes. I now have 300 photos of curly haired girls for inspiration and I’m growing my relaxer out (some of the photos below are from the box). I might as well because I don’t trust anyone but my hairdresser in Orlando anyway.

I cannot wait for the weather to stop being a bipolar hot mess so I can premiere my curly hair for my spring/ summer look.

Yes, I have moments and looks.

Don’t judge me.

I’m calling it my Summer2010 Penny Lane Hippie Chic Bohemian African Princess look. Obviously, I’ve put a lot of thought into it.

When I have successfully achieved this look, I’ll share photos.

Vashtie
Yaya
Nicole Fiscella
Penny Lane: my imaginary bestie and style icon for the summer.
Gelila Bekele
Random lady I stopped at an event. Cuz that's how I roll.

Corrine Bailey Rae.

Notice that the look is less fro' and more ringlety? I'm trying to accomplish this with my very thick natural hair. Any suggestions?

Happy Birthday Kerry Washington

I am a huge Kerry Washington fan!

HUGE.

So since she recently celebrated a birthday, I dug into my fashion box and pulled out some of my favorite Kerry Washington looks.

Happy Birthday Kerry!

Ha, like she'll read this : )

Solange Looks Good in Green

You know you got it going on when you don't have to hide behind hair to look good.


Solange Knowles, I hate you.

Dang, You Smell Good Gurrrrrrrrl

I’ve always wanted to be a smelly girl.

Now when I write smelly, I don’t mean New York in the Summer smelly; I mean Oh Wow, She Smells Lovely, Is That Chanel smelly.

People, I am talking about perfumes or eau de toilettes. I see a delicate bottle of perfume and I think of my glamorous mother getting ready for a party. I automatically associate it with being a woman. I mean check out Monica Belluci in that Dolce ad. There's my proof right there.

I’ve never really worn perfumes or sprays but I think it’s time for a change. I am, after all, a college graduate now. I’m legally allowed to drink in public, I have bills. I’m a woman dang it. I want a signature scent. My mother has a scent. My older sisters have scents; I want one toooo (stomps feet and sucks thumb).

Here’s the problem: I have a sensitive nose so I can’t wear anything that’s going to bring on the sniffles. Does anyone have recommendations for a light spray/ perfume that smells clean but not like soap, pretty but not too girly, kind of sexy but not desperate?

How did you find your signature scent?

Confessions of a Master Cleanser

I promised I would explain why I’m doing a master cleanse. Here’s my explanation:

I’ve been feeling a bit sluggish recently and decided the best way to combat this was to cleanse. See, while in New York I partook in some pizza eating and since I’ve been back in Florida I’ve been very, very naughty. I’m talking about eating tilapia, a mozzarella and tomato sandwich, ice cream and enough pop-tarts to justify an endorsement deal from Kelloggs. I’ve been a busy girl albeit a bad one.

So I decided to cleanse all that crap out of my body because at the end of the day, I’m much happier as a vegan; I just tend to get lazy sometimes and eat crap that’s toxic to my body. I’ve done the master cleanse in the past and it’s gone well and I figured it would be a great way to give myself a break from food and clean up my body and my life because right now every aspect of my life is cluttered and disorganized.

I also wanted to lose the weight that I think I gained since being back in Florida (I even had a thinspiration box put together because I tend to make boxes for everything).

So I set the date, bought sea salt, lemons, cayenne pepper, maple syrup and two bottles to lug my spicy lemonade around. With my ingredients I started the journey towards fixing all of my problems with 15 days of detox.

Yeah…

I made it to the end of Day 4, said “f*ck it all” and happily dug into the previously mentioned pineapple.

And it was good.

I’m sorry but I just refuse to do it this time around; call me weak, a pansy, or a gluttonous disgrace if you like.

The last times I did the master cleanse, the incentive was to lose weight, which I did. I’m now 146 pounds, a pound away from my happy weight and that was achieved by switching to a vegan diet. I think it’s time to get off my flabby ass and start exercising to get that last pound off.

And all that clutter in my life; it’s still there. But I think I’m going to battle it with food in my stomach.