Tumblr

Hey! Sorry I have been gone for awhile, but I have an announcement. I have transferred to the dark side! =) I have started a new blog on Tumblr. Maintenance and updating is much easier on there. I will transferring some of my post to my new blog. The link is Chic Dreams . This blog will talk about my life on a day to day basis, my hair, and my goals. I will even be posting videos too. If you are interested and have a Tumblr account check it out. ^.^

Caruso Steam Roller Test *No Heat*

I have been itching to try out my Caruso Steam Rollers, but I am still sticking to my no heat challenge. I have read everywhere that all naturals who use these rollers blow dry or lightly straighten their hair for the best results. I decided to use the banding method to stretch my hair out.

Colorful huh??? ^.^ I used long head bands to start with and added hair ties on the ends. I have eight banded sections in my hair. I slept over night with the bands in my hair. Here are the results.

I loved the results. The next step I took was using my round brush to get the best blow out look. I added a little Giovanni "Smooth as Silk" to moisture the hair, and to not cause any unnecessary breakage.

It actually turned out decent. One point for Turquoise! I went section by section and added the steam rollers. It took about a hour and a half to finish the whole process. My hair did not come out like it would have if I would have added heat, but it was cute.

My eyes look creepy in both pictures. =) The curls had much less frizz than I thought. I finger combed the curls, and these were the results.

I put a head band on it. I really loved how it turned out. Next, time I use the rollers it will be on blow dried or straightened hair.

Braid After Math and Trimming

Last weekend I took my braids down after wearing them for two weeks. This time keeping the braids in for two weeks was not too hard. I usually get bored with protective styles fairly quick. It took me about five to six hours to take them all out. My husband tried to help, but only finished taking down half of a braid. =) I trimmed my ends while the braids were still in. I feel like that is the only way I can get every little spilt. This is the second time since I BC'ed that I trimmed, because I had a straightening problem when I first cut my hair. I did not cut too much off. Both trims average half of an inch. I still feel I can make full APL by December. Anywoo, this was the amount of shed hair after two weeks with the braids.

This is not too bad for me. Actually this is a great amount for me. My hair is known to shed more than necessary. This shows me that my current routine is pretty AWESOME! After taking down the braids, I felt like I needed to do a protein and deep treatment. I have alter my protein treatments since the last time I posted about them. I only do them once a month now, and I started buying a protein pack. These are the products I used in my protein mix.

I love this stuff! I brought this pack from Target. It cost a little over a dollar.

This is what the mixture looked like after it was finished. After I shampooed my hair, I applied it in four sections then put a shower cap on my hair. I left it in for roughly forty-five minutes to a hour.

I rinsed the protein treatment out with luke warm water, and immediately followed up with a deep treatment. My deep treatment contained VO5 "Moisture Silks", Giovanni "Smooth as Silk", and my Africa's Best oil. 

It looked like yogurt, and smell like strawberries. Yummy! ^.^

I rinsed it out after a hour and a half, and my hair felt so soft. Score! My hair grew quite a bit. Here is a picture of it soaking wet.

Nice huh??? I feel so proud of myself for retaining all of this length.

5 4 3 2 1...seconds until you will love Andrea Lewis too!

You all might already know Miss Andrea Lewis, but if you do not here is some background information. Andrea is an awesome actress, and singer. No, I am not just saying that. ^.^ She played on the hit series "Degrassi" , and a Disney movie called "Cadet Kelly". Currently, she has an very popular blog, and YouTube channel with her best friend Shannon called "Those girls are wild". Not wild like Paris Hilton, and Kat Stacks though. Thank the lord! Their definition of wild is humorous, out spoken, and good old fashion fun. To add to that list is goal oriented. Shannon has a book out by the name of "Laid" about young people's experiences with sex, and Andrea just came out with a free album. Talk about inspirational! The name of her album is 54321, and it premiered today on their blog. I can honestly say I love every second of it. Just by listening to it I can tell she put a lot of time and effort in to it. My favorite song from the album is "Talk to me". It is a beautiful ballad with a 1950's style to it. I am placing the link to their blog, YouTube channel, and the album down below for you all to check out. Let me know your opinions on all three.

P.S. Did I mention they both are natural??? They have gorgeous curls! =)

 

Download the Album- Click it..You know you want to.

Blog- Those Girls Are Wild

YouTube- Click here if you want to laugh yet be inspired. =)

The Special K Challenge

I started what is called the "Special K Challenge" on Monday. Basically what you do is replace two meals a day for two weeks with Special K cereal, protein shake, or protein meal bar. It sounds like a fad diet huh??? It is not at all a fad diet. It is a easy way to jump start your fitness, or healthy eating routine. I am in no way starving myself. I am actually eating more often than usual. I have cereal for breakfast with an apple, cereal for lunch with an apple, and my regular dinner. I eat two healthy snacks in between meals also. A plus is that if you get hungry you can eat as many servings of fruits and veggies as you want! The advertisement claims that you can drop a jean size in these two weeks. No, this cereal is not a magic weight loss supplement. The reason you lose weight is because you are taking in fewer calories, and the calories you are taking in for the most part are good for you. I follow this eating plan, and also work out. I do not own a scale, but I will be trying on a pair of jeans that are very form fitting to see if it worked. They recommend that you only follow the eating plan for two weeks. After my two weeks are up I will still eat Special K for breakfast, or a more healthier cereal. I feel confident that I will fulfill my weight loss goal  of ten to twenty pounds for 2010. If you want to start the challenge, and have any questions leave a comment. =) Stay happy and healthy!

Protective Style Redo

I am currently rocking individuals braids again. I just could not resist! They are easy, cute, and versatile. My hair about a inch to two inches longer than the last time I wore these braids. The extra inch or inches added a hour to my styling time. I was not complaining. ^.^ After seven hours, and countless YouTube videos I finished my hair. Individual braids are my favorite protective style, because I do not have to do to much to my hair for two weeks, and they are great at holding moisture. I have been rocking them for over a week now, and Saturday will complete my two weeks. Also, it is much easier to trim my ends this way. It will be a very light, but needed trim. For most of last week I have been wearing them curly. I found that styling them in bantu knots rather than using rollers is much quicker. Here are the results of the bantu knots.

 I styled in five bantu knots over night. Two in the front, and three in the back. This is the result after taking them down.

They produce very pretty curls.

I styled them like this for a few days, then wore a curly ponytail for the rest. I pinned on side up using a bobby pin. I thought I was too cute! =)

This is the link to the other hairstyles I have created with this protective style. : Braid Styles

Yet another haul!

This pass weekend my husband and I did some much desired shopping. I am going to let the pictures speak for themselves with a small bit of commentary from yours truly. ^.^ *As you know my camera sucks! Therefore I will be pulling pictures off the internet of the items that I purchased. *

*Wet Seal*

Wet Seal is having a $10.00 sale on all of their heels. I purchased these heels in a six, but I recommend that if you purchase these heels that you go up at least a half of a size because of the way the shoe curves. These are a "Bow Strap Faux Suede Heel" with a 5.25 in heel, and a 1.25 in platform. When I wear these I feel so tall! =)

Wet Seal always has the 5 tees and/or tanks for $20.00 deal. I purchased 4 "V Neck" tees, and 1 "Crew Neck Boy" tee.

"V Neck" Colors-

2 White

1 Yellow

1 Java { Brown }

Crew Neck Color-

1 Merlot { Fuchsia }

*Sally's Beauty Supply*

These are called "Caruso Professional Molecular Steam Rollers". I purcashed the steamer, and 30 pack of rollers with extended warranty for $48.00. I will do a post on these when I use them. I am exited to see how they work.

*Wal-Mart*

I have been dying to try Giovanni's "Smooth as Silk" conditioner for months. When I was looking around the beauty section in Wal-Mart I saw these in the clearance section. I walked out of the store with two bottles for about $15.00.

*Macy's*

For months now I have been putting off buying new mascara. They can be very pricy. I had purchased some cheapy E.L.F. mascara, and it was HORRIBLE! I finally broke down, and went to Macy's. I had tried Clinique's mascara before during my prom season, and it was pretty good. I purchased the "high impact" mascara for volume. It is ahh-maze-ing! I only need one coat, and it does not clump. It set me back about $14.98, but it was well worth it.