I've Been Gone for a Minute

So, I've been MIA for awhile, but I will try to do better! :) This summer, well, since July, I was wearing a sew-in. Since the beginning for November, I have been weave-free and wearing my natural tresses. I've totally missed wearing my hair and have had fun using new products and seeing what works on my hair. When I initially took out my sew-in, I made a little concoction with unrefined natural shea butter, coconut oil, and Vitamin E oil. I even mixed them products together with my hand mixer! In addition, I used the Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner, and used Miss Jessie's Stretch Silkening Cream to do two strand twists. My hair came out GORGEOUS! It was shiny and looked thick and healthy! And I got tons of compliments!

Just last night, I re-did my hair (my style was looking a little old), so did a quick wash, conditioned my hair, and did another two strand twist. I'm happy to say that this time didn't take me as long as it did the last time I did my hair. I'm excited to see the results. (I may even share some pics with you all!)

Over the past few months, I've been introduced to some new products that I absolutely love, so on my next post, I'll share what those products are and how I used them when styling my hair. Remember, stay nappturally beautiful!

Benefit Cosmetics B.Right Radiant Skincare

So you have the perfect hair, the right tint to your mane, and the greatest wardrobe for the new Spring season. But you've noticed that over the Winter, your skin has become a little dry and flaky. Never to fear, I have the PERFECT remedy for you!

Benefit Cosmetics has launched a NEW skincare line. B.Right Radiant Skincare has the perfect products to help you achieve a radiant glow this season!

You can purchase these products online at www.benefitcosmetics.com, your department store, or Sephora. If you're in the DC area, I implore you come visit me at Macy's Metro Center at the Benefit counter for a demo. You can walk right in or call the store to schedule an appointment! With a cucumber and mango scent along with a unique tri-radiance complex, you are sure to have the best skin of your life!

Until next time, stay nappturally beautiful!

Encourage Yourself...and Each Other

In the Black community, the "crabs in a barrel" concept is nothing foreign to us...unfortunately. The practice of tearing each other down to bring ourselves up has been a part of our culture for centuries. It is so easy to talk about someone else in hopes of bringing up your own self esteem. This concept even goes to our hair. While living in Florida, I received a few "looks" (akin to "Why is she wearing her hair like that?") from other black people after I went natural and had my 'fro; it took my own father to get used to my new look, not to mention my 7 year old cousin that lives in South Carolina who said "I don't like your hair like that" when she saw me when I went home for a visit. After my move to DC, where there are many more women who are natural, I felt more comfortable in my choice. Now, my mother raised me to not let what people say or what they think about me to affect me. She always told me to hold my head high and to believe in myself. Wouldn't it be amazing if all women taught their daughters, nieces, sisters, and friends to believe in themselves no matter what? We need to teach our girls to believe that they are beautiful, no matter how short their hair, how much money they make, or where they live. I'm sure that most of us have experienced some form of childhood torture, directed at us or not, ranging from "You're too black", "Your hair is nappy", or "You're stupid", among others. I think that if girls were taught at a young age that they were beautiful and worthy, they would feel comfortable being their natural selves. Now, don't get me wrong-I'm not saying that if all Black women felt beautiful they would be natural. I'm just saying that if we were encouraged as little girls we would feel beautiful no matter what.
I know I was kinda all over the place with this post, but as someone who has worked with middle school and high school aged girls for years, I felt like this was something important to discuss. So, I challenge all of you to encourage that young girl you see at church, where you volunteer, or even that girl that lives in your neighborhood. If she hears it enough, she may start believing it...