Style

[STYLE REPORT] H&M Picks from Divided

The color black lacks personality when looking at its relatives and all the range of colors to choose from in the color spectrum. When you think about it, black can come across as dreadful, unhappy, or invisible like a pit of darkness that leads to the unknown. Fast forward to present day we now consider black a color saint in the fashion world. It’s mod, it’s chic, it’s slimming and photographs well since it creates a crispness when captured. When outfit ideas don’t come out as planned turning to the color black makes everything ok in its time of need… or maybe even perfect!

I posted this image on my Instagram the other day and decided to add it to the blog as a cool fall trend reminder. If your blouse, dress, or sweater has fringes on it then your bohemian chic and ready to tackle the day in style.

News

[CURL NEWS] L’ORÉAL USA SIGNS AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE CAROL’S DAUGHTER

“I’m so excited to join such a wonderful home for my first child, my business.”

—Love, Lisa (Carol’s Daughter Founder)

The news went viral on October 2oth when the founder, Lisa Price, released a video on Facebook proudly announcing that Carol’s Daughter will be joining the L’Oréal family. How exciting and fantastic is that! There were many congratulations sent out to the founder and her brand while other fans were not too happy about the big news and feel as though this change may disrupt the brand’s identity. To be honest I was skeptical about the news at first but after learning some back story about the brand and how earlier this year Price filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection for the Carol’s Daughter stores in particular, I can’t really call our girl a cop out because she made a decision to benefit her business. It doesn’t really matter how unpopular she may look in your eyes but the woman has a family to feed so let’s be real. If she had more fans and beauty enthusiast supporting her with their purchasing dollars then maybe things would be a little different but that’s not the case here. However, she didn’t team up with any jane doe kind of a brand. Its L’Oréal people! A globally recognized brand who has educated platform stylists and educators around the world. Call it what you want to call it but I will say well done Lisa!

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Hair, Hair Care

[EVENT RECAP] ‘The Tresse Event’ + Launch of TresseNoire

Last Saturday Tressenoire.com launched its new on-demand natural hair salon experience to the world and Philadelphia was there first stop.  The 7165 Lounge in Mt. Airy overflowed with art from the October Art Gallery PA’s exhibit, naturals crowding the room with their diverse hair styles from wash-and-go’s to bantu knots, and vendors. You could even find the Tressenoire crew in their distinguished black and white chic tee shirts ready to answer any questions for the curious and to book appointments. The brand’s “goal is to connect you, the time-starved naturalista, with a top-tier hair stylist that will turn your lovely noire tresses into the fierce ‘do’ they deserve. At any time. In any place. For any occasion. It’s that simple.”-TresseNoire.com

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Reviews, Skin & Beauty

[PRODUCT REVIEW] FIG + YARROW Tooth Powder in Cornmint Lavender

Apothecaries have been around for centuries and were considered back then as today’s version of pharmacist. When I think of the word ‘apothecary’ only a few brands pop into mind but after experiencing products from the Colorado Apothecary Artisan and Proprietress of FIG+YARROW, Brandy Monique, you might as well say I will be hooked for life. Women continue to dominate the industry when it comes to creating products that are unique, natural, and supports a healthier lifestyle but most importantly make us feel beautiful (and the entire family for that matter!). FIG+YARROW has been added to my radar list and I will have to keep an eye out for this wonderful artisan for more of her creations to come.

FIG+YARROW_Portrait_BrandyMonique_studio

 

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Hair, News

Join ‘The Tresse Event’ with Myself + Philly Natural Hair Bloggers

This year has been a busy year for my and the blog as I have been asked to participate on panel and speaking engagements. Just last month I was in Delaware for a natural hair expo and now I will be in the Philly to co-host another even in the Mt. Airy section on the city. Julie of Juboolee.com and Geraldine of Forcurlssake.com and I will join Tressesnoire.com to bring you ‘The Tresse Event’ on Sat. Oct. 11th from 2-5pm at 7165 Lounge (7165 Germantown Ave.). If your free this Saturday come and hang out with us with drinks, music, view the October Gallery art exhibit, and have hair talk.  You will have the chance to win products by Cantu Beauty and receive free hair consultations.

To attend RSVP here!

Hair, News

NEW Cool Brown Hair Color Shades Inspired by Iced Coffee…YUMM

The NEW Dark and Lovely Fade Resist Iced Coffee Collectiona collection of cool brown shades of permanent hair color that deliver vibrant, fade-resistant color and silky, shiny hair, made its debut on no better day than on National Coffee Day!

The collection is formulated with rich, moisturizing ingredients including Aloe Vera and Sunflower. It’s specifically designed to help protect relaxed and natural hair while coloring. Its super-rich conditioning formula wraps the hairstrand to help protect it from dryness and damage, even after multiple shampoos. “If you want to achieve a beautiful brown tone with brilliant shine, the Fade Resist Iced Coffee Collection is the perfect solution,” says Mezei Jefferson, Senior Manager of Education, SoftSheen-Carson. “This at-home hair color for black women is easy-to-use, leaves no brassy yellow undertones, provides 100% gray coverage and the shades are designed to compliment any skintone.”

The low ammonia, non-drip liquid formula also features exclusive Moisture Seal Crème for double conditioning power. This unique Moisture Seal Crème locks in shine to illuminate color, help protect colored hair from breakage and leave hair smooth and silky. The three shades come in Iced Espresso, Mocha Frappe and Cool Latte and retail at $6.99 at your local drugstore and beauty supply store. I am a HUGE fan of the Cool Latte color and have been talking about coloring my hair for the past few weeks (but Aj keeps trying to change…oh guys!). I don’t get my hair colored often and only had my hair colored three times since I’ve been natural. When I do decide to make the plunge I will have to go with the Iced Coffee Collection to make my hair color statement.

Style

[STYLE REPORT] My Fall Boot Craze!

I am a boho-hippie at heart which means I love to dress comfortable and free. I like structured over sized tees or sweaters, long flowy skirts, and I love a great pair of heavy duty open-toe shoes or sandals (believe me I go hard on sandals and find myself searching for a new pair at least every summer because I end up breaking them! It has to be the tomboy side of me..smh). Now we’re moving into the fall season I can’t rock my toes out for much longer so that’s when I start to make the transition into other footwear options like boots. Whether it’s biker inspired, has metallic or metal detail, or even a boot with cut out designs, (I am dying to get a pair :0) they all compliment my style! Nothing makes me feel like a real bad ass then my faux leather bomber jacket, a sweater, leggings, and my boots. Boots can be a bit on the pricey side, depending on the quality, but you’ll get a few years out of them so it’s worth the purchase in the long run. There are so many styles to chose from and I wish I could have them all!

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Hair, Hair Care, News

[ORGANIXLOCS NEWS] Delawares’s Naturally Redefined Hair Expo!

Next Saturday, Sept. 20th, Delaware will celebrate its 3rd Annual Naturally Redefined Natural Hair and Holistic Health Expo and I was asked to join in on all the fun. Its ironic that since I’ve been blogging about natural hair I have yet to attend a natural hair expo (I know right?). I always miss the one Philly has each year so this will technically be my first natural hair expo experience. Nearly 800 women of color come to the University of Delaware’s John M. Clayton Hall to attend Naturally Redefined workshops, panel discussions, shop vendors, live hair styling and more. From 10am to 7pm there will be plenty of edutainment to keep you occupied with general admission at $20 and VIP admission at $40. A portion of Naturally Redefined proceeds will also benefit the Lupus Foundation of America in honor of two women, Dominique Banks of Natural Hair Online Community Pioneer and Lonje Smith a Naturally Redefined friend, who lost their battle to the disease in 2014.

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Hair, Hair 101, Hair Care

Retaining Your Hair’s Length: Tip #4 Maintaining a Healthy Scalp

Hair has two distinct structures – first, the follicle itself, which resides in the skin, and second, the shaft, which is what is visible above the scalp. At the base of the follicle is the papilla, which contains capillaries, or tiny blood vessels that nourish the cells. –Web MD

hair follicle diagram

Here is a visual diagram so you can see just what I’m talking about. Don’t get freaked out by the unfamiliar medical terms but the main structure I mentioned, papilla and hair shaft (which is the hair you actually style), is what we all have.

 

When the hair grows out of the scalp through the papillary gland, length retention really begins from within your body because the blood vessels at the base of the hair is what causes the hair to grow. Stimulating the scalp through head massages keeps the blood in the vessels moving and rejuvenates growth. Every time you shampoo or co-wash your hair, take the time to give yourself a head massage for 5 minutes while the conditioner is in your hair. In addition to stimulation, keeping the scalp free from build up with the help of cleansing routines keeps the hair shaft and your actual scalp free from bacteria and clogged pores. Tip #4 wraps up my retaining hair’s length series and I hope you were able to take away some helpful information for yourself or to share with other

Hair, People

OrganixLocs Profile: Baddie.Bev

The OrganixLocs Profile is a way to showcase everyday women who embrace their natural being and their hair. Just like the hair on our heads can vary from fine to course and wavy to kinky, these women are as unique as their hair.

Name: Beverly Thomas

Location: Philadelphia, PA.

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