Things You Should Know Before Dying Your Hair

I have been thinking of dying my hair lately just to change up my look a little.  I've had some really bad hair dye experiences in the past and also some very good ones.  Here are a few things your may want to consider if you are thinking about dying your tresses.

Is your hair healthy?

Before considering any type of chemical processing to your hair, make sure that you hair is in decent enough condition to receive chemical treatment. If you are unable to assess the health of your own hair, check with your own stylist or the salons in your area, because some will do a hair evaluation for free or for minimal cost.

Is dying my own hair advisable?

Depending on what you're trying to achieve, there are dying processes that are relatively safe to try at home. There are different types of hair coloring processes, which I will explain below.  The general rule is, if you are only going for a lift (lightening) no more than 2 shades, you should be okay. Additionally, if you are depositing (darkening) color to your hair, this process isn't as harsh as lifting and can be done at home too.  If you choose to try dying your hair at home, follow the instructions on the box. You may want to conduct a patch test to make sure that you have no allergies to the dye.

If you are lifting more than 2 shades, I suggest that you have it done professionally.  This doesn't guarantee that you will get the results that you want, but at least you have a better chance with a pro colorist. 

How do I choose the right shade for me?

I suggest that you try on a few wigs. If you don't have a wig shop in your area, some beauty supply stores carry them and will allow you try them on.  Don't just try on the color that you're thinking of dying your hair, but try on a few other colors.  You might be surprised by which color you end up selecting!

Types of hair coloring processes

• Color rinse - most gentle, for depositing color only, contains no ammonia or peroxide, adds shine and deepens colors, washes out within a few weeks. (generally DIY safe)
• Temporary  - no ammonia or peroxide, for depositing color only, washes out after with one shampoo (generally DIY safe)
• Semi-Permanent - last a bit longer than a rinse, deposits color, doesn't lighten dark colored hair well (generally DIY safe)
• Permanent - color is permanent (has to grow out or dyed another color), uses ammonia and peroxide to lift color (consult with a professional)

• Bleaching - achieves high lifts from very dark to very light, I suggest avoiding this process all together because it is extremely damaging to the hair, but if you must (consult with a professional)

As you can see, there are some processes that you can try at home, however, keep in mind that you if you have dark hair and want to go a lot lighter, many of the more gentle processes will not give you the lift that you are looking for because they are not designed to this.  Hair color can be a fun way to change up your look, but it's important that you do your research and do what's best for your hair type. If you are preggers,  check with your doctor to get information about some of the risks associating with dying your hair while pregnant. 

Happy hair dying ladies!

All About Lips: Fun Lipstick Colors To Give Your Lips Some Owwwwwwww!

Vibrant

Warm 

Sultry

If you're looking for a new lipstick color, here are a few more of my favorites that I've been playing with more often .  I didn't use any lip liner or gloss.  Don't let the first color scare you!  It's looks pretty bright, but is a really nice color.  The middle color is a bit bright so I applied just a little. The last color speaks for itself, oh la la!

From top to bottom: L.A. Colors - Matte Amethyst

                                MAC - Moorange

                                MAC - Lickable

*Tip:  For longer lasting lipstick, I sometimes apply a similar color lipstain or matte color before I apply my lipstick.  You can also use lip liner.  Just lightly shade your lips with a similar colors lip liner and apply your lipstick over it. After applying your lipstick , dabbing it a bit with a paper towel and then reapplying also works very well.

Fashion Fun: Handmade Bows By Intwinedbow.com

I won this handmade headband through artnhustle.com.  The bow was made by intwinedbows.com.

Usually when I wear a headband, it's more of a head wrap or a cloth headband.  I never really thought that this type of headband would look okay on me.  When I checked out the Intwinedbows website, I fell in love with all of their fun and flirty headbands and bows.  Their use of bold colors, patterns and hardware is what caught my eye.  If you're looking for that special, unique bow to set you apart from the rest, Intwinedbows should be your first stop!

*sidenote: my daughter says the hair bow makes me look like a dolly :)

Thrift Store Fashion: Tips To Thrift Store Shopping

                        Thrift Store Fashion

It's no secret that I am a thrifting maniac!  My closet is no place for the weak!  I have thrifting down to a science.  I find really cute items that I always get compliments on.  People always think that I spend tons of money on my clothes, when in fact a whole outfit usually costs me about $10 or so.  

The outfit in this picture cost me $4.00.  Both the sheer shirt and cargo pants were $2.00 each.  This is one of my more casual outfits, but I also find some super fab items that I will soon be sharing.

Thrifting isn't for everyone.  If you've never been, I suggest you give it a try.  Check with your local Thrift and Goodwill stores to find out sale dates.  My local Thrift Store has regular sales of 50% and 75% off of already extremely cheap items.  You never know what treasures you might find!

  Thrifting Tips:

• Go prepared. Wear close fitting clothes so you can easily try items on.
• Go for name brands because generally they are better made.
• Check for stains, holes, snags, underarm stains, missing buttons and snap and zipper operation.
• If an item smells of cigarettes, depending on the fabric (usually leather)  it may be difficult to remove.
• Have an idea of something that you'd like to purchase ( I bring magazines with items circled) sometimes you can find a similar items for a fraction of the cost.
• Because it's easy to get carried away with spending, bring a specified amount to prevent over-spending.

Product Review: Reviewing Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In Detangler

Kinky Curly Knot Today

I was hearing so much about the Kinky Curly line that I had to give there products a try.  I opted to try one of the less expensive items, which was the Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In Detangler ($12.00).  Detangling my hair isn't a real issue, so I purchased the product to use it as leave in conditioner.  I am extremely pleased with this product.  My hair is extremely dry and needs daily moisturizing.  I am able to use this product daily without my hair feeling oily or heavy. I use it mostly on my ends because they tend to be extremely dry.  This product keep my ends feeling soft and silky.  This have become one of my staples and has been put into heavy rotation.  I also use it for twist and braid outs and I get wonderful results.

I have heard wonderful things about other products from this line.  In the near future I may be giving some of the other products a try to see if they are as impressive as this one.

Have you tried any of the Kinky Curly products?  If so, which ones and what is your opinion of them?

DIY: Easy DIY Manicure Using My New Favorite Color By Zoya

This is my first purchase from Zoya and I am so in love with the quality and the colors of this brand.  The colors are so true to what I saw on the site.  I only bought 2 colors and this is one of them.  I'm so in love with this deep blue.  It is everything I hoped it be!  I only designed one nail, but if you want, you can put this easy design on all of your nails.  You can even add stones or decals for more flare.

What I Used:
Zoya - Ibiza; Claires nail art brush - Silver

  

I used a base coat and applied 2 coats of Ibiza

Using the nail brush I applied a diagonal line

I filled in the the diagonal area using the same nail brush

Last, I added another diagonal line and added a clear topcoat.

Just Me: Sharing My Story; The Reason Why I Went Natural

I started wearing my hair natural over 10 years ago.  Now that I think about it, it has actually been about 12 years.  Once I decided to go natural, I have not since looked back, nor do I intend to.

Before I decided to go natural, my hair was relaxed just like every other young black girl that I knew.  I loved my relaxed hair!  If any sign of  "new growth" threatened to reveal itself, I would whip it back into place with one of my home relaxer kits that I kept stocked.  At this point in my life, I can admit that I was ashamed of my hair texture.  After all, it was nappy, kinky, curly, coily and simply not straight.

One day as I was feeling the roots of my hair that were in dire need of a re-touch, instead of being appalled by my hair texture, I was curiously pleased by the soft waves that were forming against my scalp.  As I stroked over my textured tresses, the seed began to plant.  I wondered "what if I just didn't relax my hair any more?"  I say the seed had been planted, because even at this point, I was not ready to give up relaxing my hair because I was too concerned with how I would be viewed.

Now, I can't remember where I was, but I do remember seeing a woman that had the most beautiful long, curly textured hair I'd ever seen up close.  I knew her hair was not relaxed, but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out how she got her unrelaxed hair to wave and curl as it did.  It was at that point that I decided that I too wanted hair like hers and that I would no longer relax my hair.  I was ready to give up the fight so to speak.

My hair was already cut into a short style so I didn't have much transitioning to do.  I just stop relaxing and started wearing lots of braided hairstyles and weaves while my relaxer grew completely out.  At that time there was limited information resources about natural hair, so of course I was doing all of the wrong things and making most of the mistakes you could possibly make.  I over-processed with heat, neglected to moisturize, used all of the wrong products and basically just didn't take care of my hair.  I hadn't yet understood how to take care of my hair or even how to style it.  I was still determined to get those curls and coils I had seen that day on that beautiful young lady.

With years of experimentation and most recently,  an influx of tons of information and products for natural hair, I now understand my hair's needs and how to style it. I am still learning about new products, style techniques and length retention.  I am happy that I began to see wearing my natural hair as an option where before I simply didn't.

This story is not me, standing on a soap box trying to convert the non-naturals to natural,  I'm just sharing my story as to what prompted me to go natural, however,  I am hoping that my story or even my curls might allow me to be "that lady" that inspires and shows someone else, that wearing your natural hair is a beautiful option.