Category Archives: BEAUTY

BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

I Motivate Naturals 2014: A legacy initiative

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So, it’s been made pretty evident to me by Holy Spirit that I have the gift of motivating and encouraging others. I haven’t really known what to do with that gift since it was revealed to me but I decided to make a big faith move and put forth some genuine effort into this gift. In 2014 I’m combining my God given gift with my love for natural hair and self-love.

“I Motivate Naturals 2014” is a personal legacy campaign I’m challenging myself to carry out. I’ll be targeting several blog posts this year to all of the newly natural or transitioning beauties. Going natural is a big decision and it can unveil a lot of insecurities you never new existed. I want to motivate those women through their journey and encourage them to love themselves more than ever.

God is leading this initiative. I’m simply his vessel to remind his children of the natural beauty they posses. When I’m gone from this earth I want to have made a difference in as many people’s lives as possible. This one goes towards my legacy. So, lets go! Follow me and get motivated for your natural hair journey!

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

Get up and go hair!!

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It took me a good two and a half years of being natural but I can finally appreciate the ability to get up and not do anything to my hair!

Yesterday was my undercover deep condition and baggy day. I put my hair in 6 chunky twists under a baggy and beanie and went on with my day. I took the twists out last night and basked in the awesomeness of super moisturized hair.

I went to bed without twisting my hair or anything, just a satin scarf. This morning I got up took the bonnet off shook out my hair and pow!! That was it. Spent all day enjoying my get up and go big hair.

There I go, being true to me @tjluvsbeingnatural. Indeed I do!

Here is my last night freshly deep conditioned hair and my get up and go hair. Be you beauties!

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

10 Natural Hair To Do’s for 2014

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Nappy New Year Beauties!! As you go into 2014 here are 10 to do’s for your natural hair journey:

1. Love YOUR natural hair. Don’t fill up with hair envy. Love the tresses God blessed you with. It’s more beautiful than you realize.

2. Don’t take your natural hair journey so serious. Loosen up a little! Unless you’re a chemist and love the science of black hair don’t stress yourself out over making your own Shea butter or custards.

3. Have FUN with your hair. ‘Nuff said

4. Learn more about your natural hair texture. The more you know about your tresses, the better equipped you’ll be to keep it healthy and help it grow.

5. Try new products. Don’t be afraid to try a new product or hair line. You could be missing out!

6. Try new styles as your hair grows. Half the fun of having natural hair is the versatility it offers. Get creative with your curls.

7. Encourage other women wanting to go natural. Be someone’s motivation. Remind them of their beauty and encourage them to get aquatinted with their kinks.

8. Do NOT be a big chop bully. Be sensitive with your transitioning friends! Don’t push them to big chop if they’re not ready.

9. Use what you’ve learned in 2013 to take better care of your tresses. If you’re anything like me you had a lot of hair trial and error last year. Let’s do better this year.

10. Do NOT underestimate the importance of curly support. Stay encouraged on your natural hair journey. It is critical, especially in the early staged. I’ll be here to keep you motivated :o)

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BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR

Undercover Deep Condition & Baggy

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I have never been one to leave the house in a shower cap or bonnet. It’s just not my style.  Part of my 6 month natural hair growth challenge is to deep condition once a week .  This tends to be a bit of a challenge with my schedule.  Fortunately, I can still get it done and go about my day without worrying about having to complete the entire  process before going out in public, because I’ve found a simple way to get my weekly deep condition and baggy done undercover!

Yesterday I deep conditioned with Creme of Nature’s Intensive Conditioning Treatment for several hours after co-washing .  I was able to baggy my hair after applying the deep conditioner and topped it off with a beanie for a suitable daytime look.  My hair was able to get the treatment it needed while I did what I needed to do for the day.  A face beat and casual chic outfit helped to complete the day’s style and I was more than satisfied with the overall look.

After my deep condition process was complete I finished the night off with one of my go to protective styles, small twists.  They came out extremely moisturized!

So naturalistas…no more putting off your deep condition routine because you’re too busy.  Just deep condition, baggy, beanie and be you beauties!

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR, Uncategorized

Officially Team Natura Magazine

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I am excited to say that I’ve partnered with a phenomenal publication dedicated to natural hair and healthy living, Natura Magazine. Check out my first blog post about tips on how to maintain your child’s natural hair here and stay tuned for more writes from yours truly!

Here I am rocking my official Kinky Girl tee repping the kinky hair nation ❤

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Behind My Face Transformation

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My husband has always said that he loves my smile, that my face completely transforms when the sides of my mouth curve up. Frankly, I never really knew what to make of that. Did that mean that my every day “I’m just chillin” kinda face isn’t as appealing. Women have a tendency to overthink things and there’s no doubt that this has been one of those overthought topics for me.

Needless to say, I’ve spent a lot of time comparing numerous smiling photos to non smiling photos trying to figure it out. Maybe it’s my eyes. I’ve always had big eyes and they tend to appear smaller when I smile. Maybe it’s the subtle hint of dimples that occur when I smile, or the nearly perfect teeth that spent 3 years in braces. Maybe it’s that.

After going through all of the major and minor differences I finally realized that the true appeal in my smile is found in what lives behind it. Not just the simple feeling of being happy. Don’t get me wrong, happiness is great. But, happiness is only predicated on what happens. It’s more than that. It’s joy. And joy only comes from one entity. Holy Spirit. So now, I do my best to smile a little bit more each day in hopes of sharing The Comforter with someone else who may truly need comforting. In case you happen to be that someone today, this smile is for you.

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

My natural hair growth challenge regimen

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While I thoroughly enjoyed the versatility, after just a week I decided to chuck up the deuces to my straight hair. I am now happy to say the curls are back and I am back to my growth challenge regimen.  Speaking of my regimen, I’ve gotten some questions as to what my regimen has been since I started the growth challenge.  So, here’s a look at what I’ve been doing to promote hair growth during this 6 month challenge.

  • Co-wash with Tresemme Flawless Curls 2x/week

  • Use the LOC method to seal my ends with water, olive oil and the Cantu Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment at least 3x/week

  • Deep condition and baggy with Creme of Nature Intensive Conditioning Treatment with Moroccan Aragan Oil 1x/week

  • Wear protective styles at least 3 to 4x/week
  • Protect my hair at night with a silk scarf or bonnet
  • Use Bioinfusion Olive Oil Shine Serum to help protect my hair when it’s out and not in a protective style

  • Take multivitamins every day
  • Drink at least 8 cups of water every day
  • Exercise 2 to 3x/week

That’s pretty much it!  I try to stay as consistent as possible. Although I’ve fallen short on a couple of these items I’m really proud of my dedication and progress.  Looking forward to the next 4 1/2 months of awesome hair growth! Stay tuned for updates!

Click here to check out my original blog entry about my growth challenge.

BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR

A Classic Style for My Bestie’s Wedding

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This past weekend was my best friend’s wedding, and it was perfect.  I felt so honored to be her Matron of Honor.  There was a bit of a struggle on my end as to whether I should straighten my hair for the wedding or go with a natural up do.  So, I left it up to the bride and she wanted me to go with a classic up do, so that’s exactly what I did.  Here are some pics from start to the final look.  She was very pleased which was my number one goal.  I used the Cantu Creamy Hair Lotion and Eco Styler with Olive Oil to achieve this look.

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