Trends"New year, new accessories"

I was anticipating the new trends in accessories  for 2011 to be full of color and very dramatic, but to my surprise the jewels have taken more of back seat to being more crafty or feminine oppose to the gun metal greys and studs.  I think that this trend has to do a lot of what our society is trying to become more of, relaxed and mellow. With all of the violence that has been going on this year, it makes sense for this sweet trend to try to captivate the mood and spirit of a better time in 2011! Forever21 is a good place to check out becuase they are all about fast fashion and with their prices you could get as many as you want!

                                                                       Forever21

Forever21





Tips and Tricks "Winterize your hair"

Ladies the winter time can be very brutal on our hair but, there is a way to fight back the cold from damaging your hair. Here are a few tips for achieving the best results in maintaining healthy hair:

1. Minimize the use of heat!

• Blow Dry on Cooler Temperature- It may take longer for your hair to try but, it will minimize heat damage.
• Always use a hair conditioner prior to using any heating tools-This consists of applying a leave in conditioner.

    2.   Moisturize

•  Avoid shampooing your hair too often- Shampoo hair at night and let it air dry, this will prevent you having to go out in the cold during the day and risking getting sick
•  Try to use leave-in conditioners with natural ingredients- Avoid ingredients such as mineral oil, petrolatum because this can cause more dryness.

    3.  Protect

• Always moisturize your hair and ends-  Applying oil to the ends of your hair after moisturizing will help protect your ends and keep them looking fresh and sleek.
• Wear a hat or a scarf- Wearing a hat or scart that is loose enough to allow scalp circulation will protect your hair from cold winter winds.







My version of a spa retreat!

Today was a wonderful and much anticipated day!  I went to my  hairstylist and I received the ultimate treatment, getting my hair washed, blow dried and flat ironed. What may be a normal visit at the hair salon for most people is more like a spa retreat to me. Since I don't get to see her as much as I would like, I now appreciate a professional tending to my hair. Lord knows I try to manage it myself but there is nothing like a hairstylists touch that gets it just right!  My hair taken care of check!  All that's left is making room for two Thanksgiving dinners!

Before

After

 

Tips and Tricks "Hair Nourishment"

When grabbing a quick bite of something to eat, typically the first thought that doesn't come to mind is "I wonder if this is good for my hair or not". However, during the college years I found out through my hair stylist that your hair actually changes and matures as well. To help further the process of healthy hair growth I have listed the top 6 "Super Foods".  Incorporating these foods into your diet will not only help you maintain healthy hair it will also allow for a more overall healthier you.

1. Beef- If you don't have high cholesterol, studies suggest you eat it at least twice a week. Not only does beef have the protein you need, but also B vitamins, iron, and zinc, important minerals for healthy hair.
2. Eggs- If your not a huge consumer of beef, its a more leaner option.
3. Brown Rice- Easy to mix in with meals such as stir fry and it is also a good source of B vitamins.
4. Blue Berries- This delicious fruit is not only a good source of vitamin C, but it helps release energy.
5. Bacon- It provides extra B vitamins, zinc, and protein.
6. Salmon- There are various ways to eat this, rather its baked or fried it is a good dose of protein along with B vitamins, including B12, and other vitamins and minerals.

Tips and Tricks "Holiday budjet jewels!"

During the busy holiday season most students like me are too busy worrying about up and coming finals and the fact that they still  need to start packing to go home this Thanksgiving. Well I'm here to give you a few tips on where to shop for the perfect outfit toppers for all of the events you may be attending. One store that has the cutest accessories that are always on sale is Body Central. If you don't want to get mixed up in traffic on Black Friday, this store always has amazing deals so you  could come in any day or time.  Here are a few items from there collection  that would compliment any outfit!

Trends " Watch out for green friendly haircare"

Not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about "going green".  But in fact it's a good idea in the black hair culture. A majority of the products that we put in our hair is very chemical based and can do more damage than good for our hair. One product I wasn't aware of is the Naturalaxer. This product is the alternative to harsh relaxers that young women have experienced exposing to their hair. This product is made by  Natural Hair Care Oasis and their mission is to offer a "retreat" for your hair. However, many people have tried to dig up the true facts to see if it's just a gimmick or if they are truly a natural hair product. If your interested visit the website and watch the YouTube video to see for yourself.

Fact or Fiction 



Tips and Tricks "Ceramic Styles"

  When you’re in college like me it tends to become difficult to find easy alternatives to manage hair without damaging it. I have tried braids to keep me away from putting heat on my hair. For a while my hair seemed to be holding up just fine, until it was time for me to take them out at my hair salon. My stylist told me my hair was starting to be pulled out from the tightness of the braids! After that I never had braids put back in my hair unless I’m wearing my hair in two braids when I go to bed..

  When I first heard about using a ceramic flat iron and the benefits I was on board to try it out for myself. Getting the results I wanted while using a ceramic styling tool was all I could think about as I anticipated the outcome. I should have asked more questions on how to exactly protect my hair at the same time. I was clueless on the fact that I needed to spray heat protection on my hair before I applied the heat. This was defiantly another one of those learning experiences I had to go through. My hair turned out fabulous however, when it was time for me to go back home for another hair appointment I received news that wasn't good, split ends and heat damage!
Here is a list of steps to make sure this doesn’t happen to you:

• I know it can be tempting but whatever you do don’t apply heat to your hair daily. Even though you may not notice it, in reality it’s causing more harm than good. (Dermatologist recommend no more than three times a week)

• I’m sure you already know that you need to use a good moisturizer but, consider also trying a restorative deep conditioning treatment on your hair once a week.

• If you’re in a rush and don’t have enough time to blow dry, let it air dry! Using a blow dryer on damp or wet hair without heat protection will cause even more damage.

• When all moisture is gone from your hair make sure to use the heat protection and set the ceramic iron on the lowest setting that still gets the job done.

Taking these steps to ensure that you maintain healthy looking hair will result in desired results all the time!