Smashbox is a brand I have wanted to try for some time now so imagine my sheer delight when I was offered some of their products to review.
Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder & Brush Set
This perfecting powder is formulated with gold mica, 48 minerals and 11 amino acids. It’s supposed to help decrease the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines with results showing in about 6 weeks. (Results sound similar to Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting UV Moisturizer).
So let me tell you what I truly LOVE about this product: Continue reading “Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and Hydrating Perfecting Powder Set” »
Natural Hair Texture Change After Straightening
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I’ve been trying to write this post ever since Monday but I haven’t been able to focus. My sweet cat of just 6 short years died on Monday suddenly. I still can’t stop crying. However, keeping my mind occupied with writing helps so here’s a post I’ve been trying to get out for a days.
After over 1 year of wearing my hair in its naturally curly state I decided to straighten it. I wasn’t thrilled with it being straight again after all this time so you can imagine how eager I was to wash it so that it would return to its former curly self.
A Texture Change?
Prior to straightening my hair, if you were to use Andre Walker’s Hair Typing system, you could classify my hair as 3c with a crown that’s closer to a 4a.
After this last wash I notice my hair texture has changed. At first I thought, “This must be heat damage.” Now I’m wondering if its something else because my ends are not straight and they were also trimmed. As a matter of fact my hair is a more defined type of curly but with less density.
It’s as if my 4a crown has relaxed to a 3c texture and the rest of my hair is leaning toward a 3b curly. My hair is also super manageable which it was not before. I let it air dry and the crown did not frizz up into a puff like it did the last time I tried a wash and go. What’s up with that?
The only products I used on my hair before getting it blown out were:
- Shea Moisture Hair Thickening Shampoo
- As I Am Naturally Hydration Elation
- Salerm 21 Leave In Conditioner
- Jojoba Oil
- Beyond The Zone Turn Up The Heat Protection Spray
I didn’t have any breakage and my hair felt very soft afterward. Also, when I exercised 2 days after straightening, my roots began to revert. Now, that I’ve done a full wash I notice that there’s definitely a texture change. After a few more wash days I’ll be able to confirm it for sure.
Check out the comparison pics:
The photo on the left was after a wash a few months ago. This photo on the right is after my wash this past weekend. Does that look like the same head of hair to you? The texture is different. The curls are more visible but the hair looks less dense. It’s not thin curly hair but it’s definitely not the same head of curly hair I had before straightening.
What do you think?
When it comes to caring for your skin, it’s best to arm yourself with knowledge about the ingredients that formulate your skin care products.
Critical to well balanced skin is the maintenance of your skin’s natural oils. The sebum in your skin that’s produced by your sebaceous (oil) glands is responsible for lubricating and weather proofing your skin from the elements.
One of the reasons your skin appears dry is its oil mantle has either been stripped or is under-producing.
To protect your precious sebum from being stripped out of your skin, there are beneficial skin care ingredients you should look for and there are certain skin care ingredients you should make sure are omitted from your skin care products. These include but are not limited to: Continue reading “How to Protect Your Skin: Ingredients That Strip Away Beneficial Oils” »
A Week’s Worth of Straight Hair Hairstyles
By · CommentsI recently shared how I finally decided to straighten my hair and get it trimmed. Below are some of the styles I’ve worn this past week on my straight hair. I thought I’d get two weeks out of this straight hair but no can do.
Daily high intensity exercising causes my head to sweat tremendously beyond belief and while it’s not as curly as it normally is, my hair has definitely reverted back toward its natural pattern of curly wavy. That’s OK too because I think it looks better this way anyway!
Having straight hair feels like a new animal to me. It’s funny since I actually used to wear my hair straight all the time – for years as a matter of fact.
It’s just that since I’ve embraced my natural curl pattern, I don’t really care for my hair straight. Here’s why: Cons of Straight Hair.
Why I Now Dislike Straight Hair and a Poll
By · CommentsBefore sharing my reasons or cons for why I dislike my hair straight, let me just say this is in no way a bashing of those who choose to wear their hair straight. It’s a choice and if you like your hair straight, do you boo.
I just don’t like MY hair straight anymore and here’s why:
- It’s stringy and can barely hold a style on its own. I tried to create some of the styles I create on my naturally curly hair but the result was failure. In order to achieve similar looks I would have had to hot curl and/or tease my hair. And you know that’s not an option.
- It’s limp and has no body to it. Similar to what I just said, the hair can not hold a style because of how limp it is.
- I can’t do any of the lovely updos I did when my hair was in it’s natural state. The pic above is a classic example. I used the exact same technique to create the bun and as you can see the results are drastically different. Creating the bun on my naturally curly hair made it look textured and complex. Done on the straight hair, it was difficult to pin in place and didn’t look as elegant.
- I have to worry too much about my hair reverting when I work out. Normally when i work out it doesn’t matter if I sweat in my head. My hair looks fabulous still. After it’s been straightened and then sweated out, not so much.
- My fettish for hair accessories can not be fed. Most all of my hair pins and clips slide right out of my straight hair. Don’t like that. Only the Twist ‘n Clip stays in place.
Which do you prefer Curly or Straight Hair?
Happy Mother’s Day and My Unique Gift
By · CommentsHappy Mommy’s Day to all the moms – natural and spiritual
I’m thankful to have my mom and my grandmom alive. Even though grandma is in a nursing home temporarily she’s doing well. We are going to go see her today.
I hope you have a peaceful, wonderful and blessed day but before you do, check out what my pookie poo made me at school (you can click on the images for a closer look:
Isn’t it cute? It’s a pair of high heel shoes made out of cake, icing and cookies! It’s 2 cupcakes for the base of the shoes, a carved graham cracker for the sole and a cookie for the heel. So unique. Thanks CJ!
The Beautiful New Peacocks In My Life
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Last week I shared the new crocheted hair pins I picked up from Fatemah’s Jewelry & Accessories etsy shop. What I didn’t mention was I also grabbed the cutest pair of handmade peacock earrings along with it!
I just could not resist buying these. Especially since Shelli of Hairscapades arranged for a 20% discount! Continue reading “The Beautiful New Peacocks In My Life” »
