Second Chance Thrift Store

 Hey Guys this will be my first  store review. so i been here before but since i started this blog i want to tell you guys today I've finally decided to selflessly share my love for Second Chance Thrift  This place makes me smile.  It's clean and very organized, which is a real treat when compared to most thrift stores.  The employees who run the store are very nice and always willing to help. The store is clean and roomy by size. and the items were very well organized (serious organization compared to most of the other competing stores).  they have a great 50% off clothes special on Tuesdays as well for the ladies. Well worth stopping in while thrifting around the neighborhood.

Important things to note:
- All clothing, handbags and shoes are HALF OFF on Tuesdays. 
- They do accept credit and debit!
- They also have dressing rooms! That are clean and don't smell awful! This is a huge plus.
- The ladies that work there are friendly and love to chat, which makes the experience even better.
- Your money goes to a great cause - the Cathedral Shelter of Chicago. 
- Great selection of books, furniture and glassware too.
- New stuff goes out about every other day.

 so stop on by for their end of the summer sale squeeze as many clothes  as you can into one of their bags for $15 only for tomorrow Friday  11 am-7 pm  and $10 for Sunday 9 am-6 pm   they also have a sale on 40% furniture and 50% off housewares ,shoes,china and lamps....Sept 2 is when they will be back with new fall and winter clothing so drop those kids off and start saving and shopping   


Second Chance Thrift  Store 
1674 w. Ogden 
Chicago Il 60608
Keep up with the latest news and become a fan of Second Chance Thrift on our Facebook page
www.facebook.com/SecondChanceThrift

PRODUCT REVIEW: SHEA MOISTURE JAMAICAN BLACK CASTOR OIL STRENGTHEN,GROW & RESTORE TREATMENT MASQUE

                    

Hey guys sooo yesterday i finally tried the new Shea Moisture JBCO Line. I found most of the line at 2 CVS stores, but since i got it free from the buy one get one free i had to try it but I could not resist the temptation of the deep conditioner. What can I say? I'm a sucker for deep conditioners. So that's all I purchased -- believe it or not! I felt strangely proud of myself, 

So this is whats in the masque 

Ingredient List: water, cetyl alcohol, coconut oil, behentrimonium methosulfate, glycerin (vegetable), shea butter, stearyl alcohol, behentrimonium chloride, panthenol, hydrolyzed vegetable protein PG-propyl silanetriol, cetrimonium chloride, avocado oil, mango seed butter, olive fruit oil, peppermint leaf extract, castor seed oil, maurita flexuosa fruit oil, yeast extract, hydrolyzed keratin, macadamia seed oil, tocopherol, niacin, aloe leaf extract, essential oil blend (fragrance), caprylhydroxamic acid, caprylyl glycol, butylene glycol, acetyl tetrapeptide-3, dextran, clover flower extract, caramel


when i use this  DC is that it is NOT AT ALL slippery. It’s very heavy and buttery.I also noticed that the deep conditioner left me with a tingly sensation which I’m assuming is due to the peppermint oil.  I used the deep conditioner twice and both times loved it. It left my curls poppin, shiny and soft. I will say that I wanted castor oil to be listed higher than what it was being that this is a deep conditioner. Overall, I love this product 

 In the market for a new leave-in that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Here you go! The Jamaican Black Castor Oil line is shaping up to be really promising, and I am having a MUCH better experience with this collection.

I'm going to go ahead and give this 5 stars.

Have you purchased or will you purchase anything from the Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil line?

LIEBSTER AWARDS

Hi guys! I’ve been nominated for a Liebster blog award. Yaaaaaayyyyy!!!! To all my fellow blogspot bloggers, you might be familiar with this  blog nomination. For those that are unfamiliar, the Liebster blog award is geared towards new bloggers that inspire others and who have less than 200 followers. I was nominated for this award yesterday  by a really sweet blogger that I follow. Her name Divya and her blog name is called imjustdivya.blogspot.com Thank you so much Divya  for nominating my blog!


When you are nominated, you are to return the favor, and mention other bloggers that inspire you.  They are very inspirational and full of hope and faith.  I was humbled to see that she finds me and my blog inspiring because I too am inspired by her. once again thx luv 

She has chosen 11 questions for me to answer, and I have listed them below. 



1. what is your favorite quote?
  A.Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.

2.how many siblings do you have?
   A. I Have one Sibling a young Sister (by 1yr)

3.If you could travel around the world where would you want to visit?
  A.London and Paris  (for Fashion week) 

4 Favorite Hairstyle?
   A Braids 

5. what is your eyecolor?
   A. Brown 

6.what is the last thing that made you cry?
   A. The birth of my son 

7.favorite Perfume
   A. Ed Hardy Hearts and Daggers  

8.what is your favorite holiday
   A. Christmas Duh!!! 

9.what do you like to do in your spare time when your not blogging?
   A Working Out 

10. favorite celebrity ? why??
   A. Keke palmer   she same age as me and is one outspoken chic 

11.if you had the chance to collaborate with one blogger who would it be and why 
  A.  there are 3 (3 vloggers) taren guy,peeps from the MO-AM network and the natural sisters sooooo 5 beauty naturals    


SOOOOOOOO The bloggers I nominate: 

1.Michele : http://micheles2cents.tumblr.com/

2.Tammy : http://beautyaddiction911.blogspot.com/

3.Amanda: http://stellarmanicmommy2.blogspot.com

4.Nikki:  http://nikkiraeink.blogspot.com

5.Jada : http://lovingthislifejada.com

6.Amanda : Http://MyKingHisQueen.blogspot.com

7.Cashea: http://alittleofthisalittleofthat0830.blogspot.com/ 

8.Barbara : http://cupcakesandflipflops.blogspot.com/

9.Lori L. : http://happyplacereviews.blogspot.com/
10.Cia :  http://www.ciasays.com

11.Shay:http://toriselikeaphoenix.blogspot.com/
12.Heather  https://lifeloveandcosmetics.blogspot.com

Questions for my Nominees

1. What is your favorite post from your blog?
2. What is one of your guilty pleasures?
3. What is your favorite vacation spot?
4. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, semisweet or white?
5. What is one of your favourite blogs to follow?
6. What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
7. If you aren’t a full-time blogger, what is your “day job”?
8. What is the best movie of all time?
9. What is one lesson you’ve learned since started your blog?
10. favorite holiday?
11. favorite Quote?

Be sure to check out these lovely ladies blogs that are also linked on the post. 

please share if you enjoy reading

color treated hair??? what to use

so guys learning  color treating my hair, my normal natural hair routine has required a complete overhaul.  I had to eliminate some products and add new ones that work best with color treated or damaged hair.  Although my hair isn’t damaged, color treated hair should be treated as such to avoid breakage and dullness of color.

Color Treated natural hair is by no means easy to maintain, but choosing the right products and keeping it as simple as possible should make the job much easier to handle.

here is the main products i use for my hair...

Detangling

Argan Oil Conditioner from Hask.  I use this one in particular because it’s thick and has great slip, making it easier to get through any tangles with my large tooth comb and de-tangling tool. 

You can find the full sized bottles at  CVS, Walgreens,Walmart around $5.99

Tip: Remember to take it slow and be patient when de-tangling. Try not to get frustrated if you find a pesky little pixie knot (single strand knot) or 2. Keep a small rat tooth comb on hand to assist with those or a pair of scissors to remove the tiniest of resistant knots on your ends.

Wash

My bi-weekly shampoo of choice is shea moisture Curl and shine shampoo  is a sulfate-free shampoo that gently cleanses while it hydrates and detangles hair for bouncy, healthy curls. It has coconut oil, silk protein & neem oil. Coconut oil hydrates and protects hair while reducing breakage. Silk protein smoothes hair for a soft, silky feel. Neem oil controls frizz while adding brilliant shine. it does lather up like crazy.  Since I’ve been using this, I do notice a difference or should I say smoothness after washing.  It’s not stripping but leaves my hair feeling soft and moisturized.  This retails around $10.99-12.99 and you can find it at most mass retailers 

Regular Conditioning

so what i use is Garnier Fructis Sleek n  Shine  Conditioner My curls have never looked better. They are well defined and frizz free even on very humid days. The best part is that it smells great and it is cheap (tip)  when I roller set my hair and it gives a lot of moisture and shine. I never used it on dry hair though this retails around $3.99-5,99 at mass retailers

Deep Condition

Deep conditioning is the 1 step that hasn’t changed for me since coloring.  I  use regular ORS Conditioning Packs and likely always will. They’re just that good and I say “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.   I normally grab these from Walgreens or CVS for about $1.39 per pack.  Every once in a while, I’ll spring for the full bottle but I kind of like my little packets because it’s just enough and I can throw it in an overnight bag if needed

Daily Styling

Whenever my hair begins to feel dry, I just do a few light mists shea moisture curl n shine mist re-coil any frizzy looking curls by wrapping the hair around my finger.  This mist is so fine, so I’m never worried about my curls reverting when using this, it adds just the right amount of moisture  this retail at $9.99 at target,CVS,walgreens walmart and other retailers 

then i use my favorite product shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie My hair stays moisturized for days (my go to styles are protective styles  which I normally keep in a week at a time, sometimes two before frizz sets in). The scent is awesome - not overpowering at all & the price is right hear a Tip: if you use Eco styler or Shea moisture curl enhancing souffle which is a flax seed gel it does a good twist out or wash and go..and it reduces the frizz tremendously  this retails at $10.99-12.99 at mass retailers

what is your favorite Product let me know???

Get Gorgeous Now: Six Amazing Beauty Hacks

So what does Vaseline,Apple Cider Vinegar,Coconut Oil, lemon,eggs and plus Other Uses for our Favorite makeup well In this info graphic, the great People at Ogle School reveal 6 amazing beauty hacks. 

 

So try one or many of them and let me know guys 

12 good beauty uses for Vaseline

                                                                         

Vaseline has been around forever! Most of you probably have a tub or two in your homes. Although there are a million uses for Vaseline, the majority of them are beauty related. Below is a list of 12 beauty related uses for Vaseline.

1. Use Vaseline as a moisturizer for dry or chapped lips
2. Applying Vaseline to the skin prior to plucking your eyebrows will help soften the area and make it much easier and less painful.
3.  embarrassing lipstick stains???.... on your teeth???  by rubbing a little bit of Vaseline on them. This secret has been used by Beauty Contestants for years. 
4. Soothe dry skin after shaving by applying Vaseline
5. A little Vaseline on your lashes at night, will help them to grow longer. No need for a prescription!
6. Vaseline helps to smooth dry skin, including cracked knees and elbows. You can also apply a little to your face as it is said not to clog pores.
7. If you dab a little bit of Vaseline on your neck and wrists, it will extend the life of your perfume scent throughout the day.
8. Applying Vaseline to the skin prior to plucking your eyebrows will help soften the area and make it much easier and less painful
9. Transform your powdered eye shadow or blush into cream by adding a bit of Vaseline to the mix
10. Help keep your cuticles nice and soft by rubbing a bit of Vaseline on them.
11. Use Vaseline to remove leftover glue after removing false eye lashes.
12. A little sea salt combined with Vaseline makes an awesome exfolliant! Use in the shower to keep skin silky smooth and radiant.

6 good Leave in Conditioners for natural hair

These days leave in conditioners are still popular and why not, they  your after-wash regimen. it is hard to sort through which are the best ones especially when you are just starting out on a healthy hair journey. 

With that said a little guidance, never hurt anybody, so here is my picks for the 6 best leave in conditioners for Natural hair

1. At under $10 you cant go wrong with Giovanni Direct Leave in Conditioner.Giovanni will not disappoint, the texture of the product is silky smooth and just a little goes a long way. Apply the Giovanni leave in on freshly washed and conditioned hair and leave the product in your hair for added moisture throughout the day. 

2. Kinky Curly Knot Today cannot be left off of the list for the greatest leave in conditioners ever made, if we did that then we would not be doing this post any justice. Oddly, this one does not have water as the first ingredients but it is made with care with extracts ranging from mango to marshmallow root and is free of parabens, silicones, sulfates and cruelty. With confidence we recommend picking up a bottle to reward your hair for being a good girl all year long. Use it straight after a wash when your hair already has good moisture balance 

3.Well if it is then Cantu Shea Butter Leave in comes in at number three without hesitation  Cantu Shea Butter has had mixed reviews in the relaxed and natural hair world, some women say it doesn’t ‘work’ for them and that might be true but for the women who love it, it’s a must have for their product stash. The product has a shot of protein in it which could be the reason it works so well on some heads but not on others. but it would hurt to try 

4. If you google ‘best leave in conditioners for fine, dry damaged hair’ Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave in Cream is always there, if you don’t believe me, try it! the formula is very light weight which makes it ideal for fine hair that doesn’t like to be weighed down. It also makes it perfect for relaxed hair because anything that doesn’t add stress to your relaxed hair but adds moisture is a great choice. The label claims that it mends damaged ends which might be a little iffy but it could help with prevention if you are looking for a more realistic perspective.

 5. a great leave in for  natural hair Redken Extreme Anti-Snap leave in conditioner is awesome. Everybody has had a snap or two while styling their hair, and once it happens you do tend to get a little sad even if its just one strand (or maybe that’s just me). This conditioner adds strength to the strands, prevents friction and guards against breakage. It is pretty much magic in a bottle and it doesn’t hurt to have a little magic in your life

6. Infusium 23 Leave in Treatment is not going anywhere when it comes to the best leave in conditioners of all time. The product is expertly made with emulsifiers and moisturizers that keeps the conditioner in hair. you will not go wrong if you use a splash of this product in your regular regimen. 

There you have it, the 6 good leave in conditioner picks for natural hair, what are your favorite leave in conditioners?

DIY: Refreshmint Hair & Scalp Rinse

                                             

Have An itchy scalp or concerned with hair growth Try using with the Refresh mint Stimulating Hair & Scalp Rinse. The mint in this recipe is soothing and refreshing which stimulates the scalp, while carrot juice helps to speed hair growth and reinforce strength.

Re-Fresh mint Stimulating Hair & Scalp Rinse

2 teaspoons of chopped fresh  mint

1 cup of warm water (distilled)

1 teaspoon of carrot juice (preferably organic)

Wash Hair then added Rinse 

Add the mint to the warm water.  Steep for 30 minutes, then strain.  In a small bowl, combine the mint and carrot juice.

Acne Treatment with Tea Tree Oil

Hey Guys So Today I'm Going To Tell you Bout tea tree oil  and 3 different treaments to help with acne. but first you must know about tea tree oil soooooo....


                                                             

WHAT'S TEA TREE OIL?

Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of Australia’s tea trees. Most commonly applied topically, it is a potent antifungal that is often used to cure fungal infections of the nail, athlete’s foot, acne and lice. It is also a great natural antiseptic making it perfect for use on cuts, abrasions, burns, bug bites, mouth and nose infections and several other minor infections.


1. A Simple Spot Treatment

All you need is two easy to find ingredients; tea tree oil and aloe vera gel. Mix together 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil with 9 teaspoons of aloe vera gel in a small dish. 

Once both ingredients are blended together nicely, use a clean finger and apply a bit of your treatment to the affected area. Feel free to leave this overnight, or  make it a quick spot treatment and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. It is safe and gentle enough to repeat as needed until your blemishes begin to vanish.

if you want to just use Straight tea tree oil then you can but as it has been known to cause irritation for a long period of time.

2.Acne-Fighting Astringent

like a spot treatment, but meant for an all-over cleanse, mix 1 part tea tree oil to 9 parts water. You can put it in a spray bottle or a squeeze bottle; it just depends on your method of use. use a spray bottle and mist myself but you can also sweep it across your face with a cotton pad.

Your face will feel refreshed, clean and invigorated within seconds of using. Impurities will be removed, pores will be rid of bacteria and dirt and inflammation will be diminished. Regular use will not only banish your current blemishes, but will prevent future pimples from popping up!

The Perfect Pimple Preventing Face Mask

 If you’re looking to really get rid of your acne then you definitely want to give this face mask a try.  To make this mask you will need 2 tablespoons of green clay powder, 3-4 drops of tea tree oil and enough water to make your clay a paste.

Stir all your ingredients together in a bowl until they are nice and smooth. Use your fingers to apply your mask but be sure to steer clear of your eyes. If you get some in your eyes immediately rinse them out with cool water.                                                                               Your mask needs about 20 minutes to absorb and during this time it will become dry. Just be patient! Once the 20 minutes has passed rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat your face dry.

In as little as a week you should see amazing results 

let me know if any of you guys use any of my treatments 

4 good reasons why you shouldnt sleep in your makeup

                                                       

Let face it we've all done it once or twice in our life come home from a stressful day and then you see your big nice comfy bed.but wait!!! You have to remove all that makeup.sleeping with makeup on can have a dramatic impact on how you care for your skin, as well as how your skin cares for you! Once you get into the habit of washing your face before bed, it becomes second nature! Here are my top reasons not to sleep with makeup on!

1.BRITTLE LASHES
ALL mascaras are constantly seeking to appeal to the buyer by advertising the prettiest lashes of all! Sleeping in mascara will dry out your lashes, causing them to be brittle, dry, and prone to breakage.

2.CLOGGED PORES 
Your skin uses the time that you sleep at night to replenish, and if your makeup is in the way, your pores can’t breathe! Clogged pores can cause or contribute to ugly breakouts, so make sure you are washing your face to keep those pimples at Away!!!

3.BACTERIA BREEDING GROUND 
Washing your face at night doesn’t just remove your makeup; it also removes any other grime from the day. Skin oils, smoke and smut, and germs and bacteria from your hands or your phone touching your face will create a breeding ground for bacteria overnight if you let them just sit there. This can encourage breakouts, cold sores, and unhealthy skin in general!

4.DULL SKIN
want  dewy, youthful complexions, right? Sleeping in makeup will only give you dull and dry skin. Your skin needs to breathe at night, and it needs to be able to produce the vitamins and minerals that promote healthy, glowing skin. If there is makeup blocking your pores, your skin will have a hard time replenishing itself!

Sleeping with your makeup on is a bad idea, but we all have those nights when we were too tired or fell asleep on the couch and forgot. Don’t beat yourself up for one or two mistakes! Instead, work harder on your resolve not to sleep in makeup for your skin’s sake.

helping dry skin

I Know I Know Its Still Summer And You Do Not Want to Here About Winter .....But It Better You Hear It From Me and Stock up Before Mr Winter Comes.

Dry skin conditions are a common problem for many people, especially those who live in colder regions and experience the winter season. Keeping your skin healthy is important for your well-being. This should be the most important reason to get your skin hydrated. I learned the secret of year-round skin care years ago. In just a few weeks, you can transform your dry skin into a healthy glow.

Dry, cracked skin is a direct result of a lack of water,Protective oils are lost when skin is dry and shrinks. causing dry skin and premature aging. In order to tackle dry skin you must first know the factors that cause the problem.

There are many factors that cause dry skin. Most traditional soaps and moisturizers in mainstream stores contain harsh chemicals that irritate and dry the skin. It is very important to buy soaps and moisturizers that contain nutrients to hydrate and condition.

The reason dry skin tends to be worse in the winter, is because there is a shortage of moisture (water) in the air, thus low humidity. Cold weather will dry out the skin, so it is important to apply more oils and organic moisturizers during the winter months

So here are my 6 ways to protect skin 
1.drink lots of water
2.Eat foods that will provide your body
3.Exfoliate,Exfoliate,Exfoliate!!!!
4. began using a humidifier
5.Protect. 
6.Moisturize (2-3 times a day)

also the oils and moisturizers you can start stocking up on 

1. Almond oil. This oil contains vitamins and minerals for softening the skin.

2.Aloe vera. It is known for its skin healing properties, but many people are unaware that it contains vital nutrients which have anti-aging effects.

3.Coconut oil. This is one of my favorite oils to use during the winter. It contains vitamin E, which nourishes and provides a protective layer to hold moisture into the skin.


4.Grape seed oil. This is an essential oil to use if your skin is dehydrated.


5.Shea butter. It contains vitamins A and E. Both are vital nutrients for your body and skin. It is very therapeutic because it naturally heals cracked skin. Make sure you purchase a product that contains 100 percent shea butter. It will feel a bit greasy when you apply it, but this means it is the good stuff.


6.Vitamin E. This is a great antioxidant for your skin that increases circulation and helps heal injured skin.

if you use these things i can tell you,you will have summer skin during winters months