Product Review: Tangle Teezer Original Professional Detangling Hairbrush

I decided to go natural it was obvious that the hair-care tools I used previously wold have to be upgraded. My relaxed hair was very long but quite thin, so I had no real heavy duty combs or brushes. I did what every transitioned Beauty does – I rushed to YouTube for details on what I could buy. I can across a whole range of new terms and things I needed to do to take care of my natural hair, but the word that struck the most fear into my heart was ‘de-tangle’. I had flashbacks of tears running down my eyes as my step-mum dragged a rat-tail comb through my long natural hair when I was about 6. It’s not a happy memory and I really don’t wish to relive it! So I set about looking for combs/brushes that would de-tangle my hair without killing me in the process. I came across the Tangle Teezer when I saw a video review, then a friend recommended it to me so I went out to buy it. I've had it for about a year now and I’m loving it!

Pros: It’s very cute, it comes in a lot of colors and styles but I got the hot pink original of course. In terms of de-tangling I love it because the bristles are so soft but they still manage to run through y hair without causing any damage. Its waterproof so I use it in the shower all the time and it doesn't get filled with water. It’s lightweight, fits into the palm of your hand comfortably and it’s just the right size to put in your bag.

Cons: It faded a bit but only on half, so on mine the bristle side is a lighter pink than the back which is kind of weird. I think it may be because I use it wet a lot. The bristles are very soft, so those with denser hair textures than mine (I have mostly S and O curls) may not be able to benefit from it. It also doesn't do much for me when my hair is dry because of that very reason. It can get slippery in your hands because it is made of plastic.

It retails at feelunique.com.

 $15 which is quite a bit for a hairbrush but I think it is well worth the price. It can be found at your local pharmacy or at

Have you guys tried this? Did it work for you? Let me know what you’re using ladies!

                                                                         
                                                                   

3 Products Every Natural Diva Should have in there bathroom

We all know how it was at the beginning of our natural hair journey, we were ALL product junkies, that’s if you aren’t still one. I know i spent a small fortune on trying to ensure that i had every new product out their on the market which was totally stupid on my part .. lol.

Do you have any idea how big my wardrobe could be at this point if id just used that money on my clothes and not my hair? Well im here to curb some of that pjism with 3 simple products to keep in your regimen.

 1. Conditioner  is so multi purpose it’s not even funny. You can wash your hair with it, style with it, and moisturize with it. It’s what your hair craves and you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg on expensive ones.

2. Oil  Olive oil and coconut oil are your best friends. You can mix them with shea butter for a heavier sealant and they will keep your hair moisturized in the winter time. So pick an oil and have at it!

3. Protein This is a step that SO MANY NATURALS MISS! I have no clue why either! I stress it all the time. Hair + Protein = Strength and moisture retention. It’s just that simple. Some good protein treatments are Aphogee 2 Step Treatment and Dudley’s DRC28. Dudley’s is great but its on the expansive side.

These are all really great products for natural hair. Even if you’re not natural,  healthy hair in general!

Any more products that you ladies think should be added? Later Luvs

What’s the Challenge for This Week?

The rule of thumb thought is that a quickie workout anywhere from 20 to 45 minute cannot get you the muscle development you desire to help you burn more calories at rest. Not True!

If you are someone that is mostly on the run, here are a few more benefits for a “Quickie Workout”that will keep your heart rate elevated and will take you no longer than 40 minutes or so to do them. If you’re forced into working out less because of an off balance Life/Work Balance, don’t worry, it can actually work to your advantage!

Here’s a list of the BENEFITS of SHORT WORKOUTS.

• Less time socializing and messing around. You keep your heart rate elevated with consistent movements.
• A plan is a necessity in short workouts, in longer routines, you tend to just make up things as you go along. A plan of action keeps you focused, on track and goal oriented.
• There’s no time to lose intensity. Your quick workout forces you to listen to your body and keeps blood flow pumping to the muscles, you won’t have to worry about a  lazy last few minutes in your routine.
• Burn less muscle. Your body uses muscle and proteins as an energy source, once it’s finished with the carbs in your system it moves to the next source. Having a quick, intense workout depletes your body of sugars, but doesn’t give your body enough time or length of fatigue to move onto the next source, your muscles.
• You end on a high. You lift hard and heavy with the weights. Take a multi vitamin, and a shake with a 2-1 carbs to protein ratio within 15 minutes of completing your lift for the best results. Ending a workout with the blood still pumping allows the nutrients to go directly to the source.
• Reduced resting periods.  When time is of the essense,  you are more than likely to increase the intensity of your routine. Getting it done quick means getting it done right!

MAC Retro Matte Pro Longwear Lip Pencils

The MAC Retro Matte Collection also includes eight shades of Pro Long wear Lip Pencils ($19.50 for 0.04 oz.), and five the shades (all featured in this post) are new. The collection will launch online the week of September 3rd and in-stores on September 12th (North America), and September 2013 for international locations. There is some uncertainty whether all shades are permanent or only some; the answer I received from MAC’s PR was some, which is what I’ve gone with, but the nearest counter/store are both saying all are permanent.

The Pro Long wear Lip Pencils tend to have good color coverage, apply evenly overall, but they aren’t super creamy lip pencils, so they can skip, drag, and tug.  They’re not the worst, but they’re not the most comfortable to apply or wear alone.  I like them best underneath lipstick or gloss, as you get the benefits of a lip pencil–longer wear, more even color fade, no feathering/bleeding–without the drawbacks of wearing it alone. The formula is not one I would opt to wear alone because of how drying they are by themselves, and honestly, they have a drier texture that tends to cling to lips and doesn’t look as flattering.  Even the Retro Mattes, though sometimes drying, look smoother applied.  I wish they were creamier during application with more of a set/dry down, so you could achieve really even, smooth color that still wore and lasted well. I prepped by slathering lips with lip balm while sleeping (I used Hourglass’ Lip Oil, actually) and wearing lip balm for a half hour prior to applying (blotting off immediately prior to applying the lip pencil).

On their own, I’ve found that while they wear like iron–topping in anywhere from six to ten hours–the wear can be less flattering over time, as it flakes off in areas, rather than a gradual fade.  The deeper colors stain, too, and so when they do, the fading appears more even as the product wears away.  These feel like they shrink or cling to the lips, which is why I really think they are best underneath other lip products.  I ended up wearing a lot of these two at a time (half on one side, half on the other), because after wearing one alone (and after all seven of the Retro Mattes), my lips weren’t going to make it through another four standalone tests.

Wearing them underneath lipstick adds anywhere from an extra hour to three hours, depending on the shortness of the lipstick to begin with and lighter shades always disappear faster.  How drying the lip pencil is also can be mitigated by wearing a more hydrating formula on top or patting on lip balm and/or a hydrating gloss throughout the day.

Dynamo is described as a “bright peony.”  It’s a bright, medium-dark coral-pink with a matte finish.  The consistency is slightly dry but is able to cover with even, opaque color without too dragging or skipping around.  On its own, it lasted well for seven hours.  I’m not familiar with many coral lip liners, and Urban Decay Streak is really the only one I could think of, but it is not similar to this shade.

Fashion Boost is described as a “bright purple cream.”  It’s a vibrant, medium-dark magenta purple with strong fuchsia undertones and a barely-there satin sheen. It had mostly opaque color coverage, but I couldn’t quite get 100% even, opaque color. It lasted seven hours and faded slightly unevenly.  Urban Decay Anarchy is brighter, pinker. MAC Heroine is very similar–a touch more muted but just barely.  

High Energy is described as a “bright orange red cream.”  It’s a medium-dark, orange-red with a matte finish.  It was slightly dry in consistency but didn’t skip too badly, and I was able to get opaque color that was very even overall.  This shade wore well for eight hours but was drying on its own.  Urban Decay Bang is slightly more orange. MAC Throw Me a Line is more muted. MAC Ablaze is slightly more muted.   See comparison swatches.

Shock Value is described as a “bright pink cream.”  More like a bright–nearly neon–light-medium, blue-based pink with strong fuchsia/magenta tones.  It’s definitely pink, but it’s almost so blue-based that it looks magenta.  This one was creamier than the others, but it tended to cling to itself as applied (seemed a little tackier than others).  I highly recommend blotting with a tissue before you press lips together to avoid the product sticking and lifting from areas on the lip.  This shade wore for eight hours well, though it was painful to remove and wear. I couldn’t think of any similar lip pencils to this shade, but I have no doubt it would pair well with MAC Candy Yum Yum and its dupes.

Trust in Red is described as a “bright cool red cream.”  It’s a medium-dark, cool-toned red with blue undertones.  It’s actually a bit muted–not as bright/bold as you’d expect.  It had mostly opaque, even color coverage, was somewhat drying when worn, and lasted for eight hours and stained.  Urban Decay 69 is not as blue-based, darker. MAC Cherry is darker. MAC Freehand is darker, less blue-based.  

MAC Retro Matte Collection

Pro Longwear

Online now (for maccosmetics.com), online shortly at other online retailers; in-stores on September 5th.

• Pro Longwear Paint Pots (Part 2, Part 3)
• Pro Longwear Eyeliners

Retro Matte Collection

Online NOW at maccosmetics.com; online next week for online retailers; in-stores on September 12th.  As a heads-up, all the new shades are showing up under the “limited edition” tab, which only further confuses everyone on what (if any?) shades are permanent or not.

• Lipsticks (Part 2)
• Pro Longwear Lip Pencils

Let your Skin Breathe! 12 Ways to look awake without Makeup!

Makeup nowadays has become like a basic entity in a woman’s life. Makeup care is considered more important than natural care for skin. They buy and wear makeup like they wear clothes. Naturally enhanced beauty will make you look 100 times more glowing and pretty than by using these products or medicines or surgeries. The following is a list of techniques you can adapt in your daily lifestyle to enhance that glow and rejuvenate your inner beauty. 

1. Hydrate You Skin with Water:

A glass full of water in the morning is the best you can provide to your body which will automatically reflect at you skin’s appearance. Hydrating your skin by drinking water in the morning will let you lose those puffy eyes and dark circles you have gathered by working late or not completing your sleep.

2. Wash Your Face:

For a face without makeup care, it needs a clean and dirt free skin. Your motive is to look fresh without using makeup and for that all you have to do is, splash that face with lot of water. You can also use a natural face cleanser for better results.

3. Watch your Diet:

Eating a nutritious and well balanced diet will give that flawless skin you have always craved for. Foods that filled with vitamins, minerals and fibers will help you get that natural glow. Lemons, oranges, other fruits, vegetables, proper milk products will help you enhance your beauty to a new level. So feel a smoother skin by adopting better food habits.

4. Skin Moisturizers:

Always make sure that your skin is moisturized and never dry. There are number of organic moisturizers available in the market that gives you a smooth and young looking skin with a better complexion.

5. Exercising is a necessity:

Making your mood better and physically improving your inner body parts, exercising will always help you get better skin. It helps you get a better heart rate, thus better blood flow making your skin breathe and boosting that shine.

6. Decrease your Stress Levels:

With our busy work schedules, we suffer from a lot of stress whether it be work related or home related. Reducing stress will help you revitalize your skin and make you look younger and fairer. You can achieve this by having regular walks or jogs, doing yoga, getting spas or massages or even just relaxing yourself by giving yourself some time.

7. Naturally Clean Your skin:

The natural cleansers will help you remove dirt, bacteria and cleanse your pores in and out. It helps in regaining and restoring the skin’s natural condition without harming them in any sense.

8. Create Homemade Masks:

For better results use natural ingredients to regenerate your skin. Basic elements present in your kitchen will help you gain that beauty back. Create masks out of mixture of yogurt, honey, besan, almonds, oils, lemon and more and apply it after every 2-3 days. These natural elements are great source of nutrition to your skin.

9. Sleep Right:

For that blush of beauty and radiance, never compromise on your beauty sleep. Sleeping on time and completing good 7-8 hours of sleep is a necessity for a skin to glow and remain young. So keep your phones aside and grab your sleep with no disturbances.

10. Lip Care:

Good looking lips will always add to the beauty of your skin. Keep your lips always moisturized with a good balm or lip care gel and never let them dry away. Wash them regularly to remove away all the dust particles.

11. Let your eyes do the talking:

Your eyes speak a lot especially the well shaped eyebrows and those curly eyelashes. Let them be groomed at every hour so that it reflects how in how your skin talks.

12. Groom your Hair:

For an overall better looking skin, aspects like good clothes and good hair should not be neglected. Get yourself up and get a good haircut. Not only will it make you happy but give your face an entirely new and fresh look making your skin show more radiance.

The Best Natural Hair Products

I am well past the product junkie phase. At this point of my natural hair journey I have found products that I have grown to love and stand by. I am still open to trying new products, but I no longer feel the need to constantly spend money to find that perfect product. Here are my list of the best natural hair products that do amazing work for my hair.

Moisturizers and Styling Products

#1 Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque

When I am looking for a product that will give my hair moisture as well as give me some stretch, I turn to my deep treatment masque. This also works pretty well when it comes to laying those edges down and getting rid of those be-be beads! Works great for creating a nice poof too!

#2 Shea Moisture Curling Souffle – When used in combination with the deep treatment masque this helps to give me some stretch and add some waves to my hair. Used alone it is a great moisturizer and gives my kinks some curl definition. This is definitely one of my top go to products and I would recommend it to anyone who has severely dry hair.

#3  Miss Jessie’s Baby Butter creme – With the use of this product a little definitely goes a long way. After applying it for your first twist out set or just for moisturizing purposes you will find you can go a couple of days without needing to use it again. If you love wearing curly styles this a great product to use

#4 Kinky-Curly Curling Custard – Normally when wet my hair is quick to dry up with little to no curl definition. However, I can truly say that this product works wonders for my kinky tightly coiled 4b hair. My zigzags turn to flat out luscious curls and even when dried my hair is still moisturized.

This is my go to product for wash n go’s, curly styles, and my sleek hair styles.

Natural Oils

#1 Jojoba Oil – Jojoba Oil has a similar composition to sebum, a natural moisturizer that our body produces. I found it works exceptionally well for sealing in moisture and the health of my ends.

#2 Coconut Oil – This oil works particularly well for Pre-pooing purposes. Used on your hair before cleansing can reduce the dryness that you experience afterward and also helps protect against hygral fatigue. It has also been shown to be good for moisturizing and penetrating the hair strand.

#3 Olive Oil – Sometimes I buy olive oil that is specifically for hair, other times I have no problem balancing Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) with hair and skin care.

 Cleansing and Conditioning

# 1 Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Shampoo – Most shampoos that I have tried are pretty drying, while this buttery shampoo actually leaves my hair feeling moisturized even when I am a little lazy and didn't bother to condition. It also happens to be free of sulfates, parables, and all of the other crazy ingredients we can barely pronounce.

#2 Bio Infusion Deep Olive Oil Deep Conditioning Treatment

I love replenishing my hair’s protein balance with this rich and lush conditioner. Once I give my hair a good round of conditioning with this product my hair seems to glide through the detangling process. Honestly when it comes to conditioners for my co-washes and average conditioning sessions, I am fine with a cheap. However, for deep conditioning I like to spend a tad more and get a great conditioner like this or Giovanni Tea Tree Deep Conditioning Treatment which happens to smell amazing!

Are any of your favorites on this list? What products do you love?