Bleaching My Natural Hair Blonde | From Dark Brown to Blonde Hair Safely

They say blondes have more fun, and I guess we are here to test that theory out. I have been enjoying my natural hair, but I’ve been debating on getting color. I’ve heard so many things come into play when wanting to bleach your hair. It’s a process and requires a lot of maintenance. So, was I really up for the challenge? 

An amazing opportunity presented itself and I couldn’t pass it up. Yolonda Jamison from House of Diata was looking to test out a new product and I was ready for change. I had entrusted her with my hair before when I decided I wanted a cute and sassy bob. Deciding to color my naturally dark brown/black hair blonde was a big decision. I had always loved my dark hair,  especially after going natural but I have been curious about adding a little color into my life.

I did a lot of research before I went to the salon. I wanted to make sure that I chose a stylist who was experienced in coloring dark hair blonde. Yolanda was awesome in walking me through this process. During the consultation, we discussed my hair goals and the vision I had for my coloring service. Then she gave her professional opinion on what was best for my hair. Instead of doing an all over blonde, we decided to start slow and add in highlights. We will come back in a few months and do a touch up while adding more high and low lights for a full all over look. 

On the day of my appointment, I was nervous but excited. The stylist started by bleaching my hair. This took a few hours, but the results were amazing. My hair lifted with ease, and we opted to tone the hair for the best results. My hair was now a light ashy blonde color and I love it. It complements my brown skin beautifully! 

The transition to blonde highlights was much better than I thought. Although my hair is more fragile now due to the bleaching process I was educated on things to do to avoid damaging it. I will be gentle while handling my strands, avoid using excessive heat, and keep my hair in a satin wrap or bonnet when not I’m not out. 

Friendly Tip: A silk pillowcase is a great idea for those of us that toss and turn at night or want extra protection for your hair.

Overall, I am so glad that I decided to dye my hair blonde. It has been a fun and rewarding experience. I love my new hair color, and I feel more confident than ever before.

Here are a few tips for anyone who is considering bleaching or dying their natural hair blonde:

• Do your research and choose a stylist who is experienced in coloring dark hair blonde.

• Use a high-quality hair color that will not damage your hair.

• Be patient and realistic about the process. It may take several sessions to achieve your desired hair color.

• Be prepared to take extra care of your hair after the bleaching process.

Products used:

 Wella Lightener and 10 Volume Developer 

 Joico Lumishine XLA 

Influance Hair Care Honey Almond Shampoo  and Honey Almond Conditioner 

The Doux  Sweetest Thing Moisture Mask 

I can’t wait to take you all on my “new” hair journey! I am in love with my hair and it’s finally at a length where I can truly enjoy the styles I like. However, my goals are to thicken the front of my hair and regrow my edges! Stay tuned as I learn what works for me. 

If you’re looking for a hair color specialist, I highly recommend Yolonda of House of Diata! She’s located in Gastonia, North Carolina but also travels!

Protective Hairstyles: A Shield for Your Strands

For women, especially women of color your hair is EVERYTHING. There are so many thoughts and feelings surrounding our hair that it’s important for us to have to go to styles such as protective styles.  In the world of hair care, protective hairstyles have emerged as a popular and effective way to maintain healthy, strong hair while minimizing damage and breakage. These styles offer a shield for your strands, safeguarding them from the harsh elements, excessive manipulation, and daily wear and tear. In this blog post, I’ll share some of my favorite styles while exploring their benefits and how to incorporate them into your hair care routine.

crochet boho braids

The Benefits of Protective Hairstyles

Protective hairstyles offer a multitude of benefits for your hair, including:

• Reduced Breakage: By tucking away your ends and minimizing manipulation, protective styles help prevent breakage and split ends, promoting hair growth.

• Moisture Retention: Many protective styles, like braids and twists, help to lock in moisture, keeping your hair hydrated and healthy.

• Length Retention: With less breakage and better moisture retention, your hair has a greater chance of retaining length over time.

• Versatility: Protective hairstyles come in a wide variety of styles, from braids and twists to buns and updos, offering endless options for self-expression.
  
  

crochet faux locs

Popular Protective Hairstyles

• Braids: Braids are a classic protective style that can be worn in countless ways. From box braids to cornrows to Senegalese twists, braids offer versatility and style.

• Twists: Twists are another popular protective style that involves twisting two strands of hair together. They can be styled in various ways, from flat twists to Marley twists to Havana twists.

• Buns and Updos: Buns and updos are simple yet elegant protective styles that can be dressed up or down. They are perfect for protecting your hair while maintaining a polished look.

• Wigs and Weaves: Wigs and weaves offer a great way to protect your natural hair while experimenting with different styles and textures.

Tips for Maintaining Protective Hairstyles

• Keep Your Scalp Clean: While protective styles offer many benefits, it's important to keep your scalp clean and healthy. Use a gentle cleanser and avoid scratching or irritating your scalp.

• Moisturize Regularly:  Even though your hair is tucked away, it still needs moisture. Use a lightweight oil or leave-in conditioner to keep your hair hydrated.

• Avoid Tight Styles: While protective styles should be secure, they shouldn't be too tight. Tight styles can cause scalp tension and breakage.

• Take Breaks: It's important to give your hair a break from protective styles every few weeks. This allows your hair to breathe and your scalp to rest.

Protective hairstyles are a valuable tool for maintaining healthy, strong hair. Using protective styles helped not only me to grow my hair but also my daughters. The less manipulation, the better.

By incorporating these styles into your hair care routine, you can minimize damage, promote growth, and achieve your hair goals. Remember to choose styles that suit your lifestyle and preferences, and always prioritize the health of your hair and scalp. With proper care and maintenance, protective hairstyles can help you achieve the beautiful, healthy hair you've always dreamed of.

Dossier Perfumes: Are They Worth The Hype?

I stay on #perfumetiktok and I’ve been hearing a lot about Dossier Perfumes, especially in the last two years. So, I finally gave in to the hype and purchased them for myself.

Dossier Perfumes is a fragrance company that offers high-quality, affordable dupes of popular designer fragrances. Their fragrances are made with the same ingredients as the originals, but they are sold at a fraction of the price.

What I love about Dossier Perfumes:

• The fragrances are high-quality and long-lasting.

• They are affordable.

• There is a wide variety of fragrances to choose from.

• The company offers a satisfaction guarantee.

What I don't love about Dossier Perfumes:

• Some of the fragrances are not exact dupes of the originals, but you may find that you like their version better.

• The shipping can be slow.

Overall, I think Dossier Perfumes is a great option for those who want high-quality, affordable fragrances. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a new fragrance or who wants to save money on their favorite designer fragrances. Here are some of the ones I’ve tried myself and LOVE and they actually smell like the originals! 

Ambery Saffron Eau de Parfum Inspired by Baccarat Rouge 540

Gourmand White Flowers  Eau de Parfum - Inspired by Viktor&Rolf's Flowerbomb

Floral Grapefruit - Inspired by Chanel's Chance Eau Tendre

Floral Marshmallow - Inspired by Kilian, Love Don’t Be Shy

Fruity Neroli - Inspired by Armani’s My Way 

If you want to stay up to date with my latest perfume purchases and reviews, be sure to follow me on Instagram @selfcarewnat. 

Aging Gracefully | Skincare in Your 30s

The old saying goes, black doesn't crack, and while that may be true…a good skincare routine is essential in keeping your melanin intact! Before I turned 30, I knew I wanted my skin to be flawless. My goal is to age like fine wine, and it was vital for me to drink my water, rest, and figure out what my skin needed.

Creating a skincare routine in your thirties is essential! It can help you maintain a youthful appearance; your skin loses collagen and elastin as you age, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. 

Here are a few tips for skincare in your thirties:

• Use a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup from your face.

• Apply a moisturizer to help hydrate your skin.

• Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days.

• Get regular facials to exfoliate your skin and remove dead cells.

• Eat a healthy/balanced diet and get plenty of rest.

• Avoid smoking and excessive sun exposure.

Following these tips can help you maintain and improve your skin! 

My Combination Skincare Routine

Pre-Cleanser: Dermalogica PreCleanse Cleansing Oil The POREfessional Get Unblocked Makeup-Removing Cleansing Oil

Makeup Remover: Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Cleanser & Makeup Remover

Cleanser: Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash  and CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

Toner: Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner and Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner

Exfoliator: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Serum: Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum

Treatment: 10% Azelaic Acid Booster, Faded Topicals Cream

AM Moisturizer: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane 

Sunscreen: Hello Sunshine Invisible Sunscreen

PM Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost

Lip Mask: ELF Lip Balm and Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask 

Important Notes for Improving Your Skincare

• Use products that are specifically designed for your skin type.

• Start using anti-aging products early, even if you don't see any signs of aging yet.

• Be patient - it takes time to see results from skincare products.

• Don't forget to take care of the skin on your neck and chest, as it can show signs of aging just as quickly as your face.

• See a dermatologist if you have any concerns about your skin.

Following these tips, you can keep your skin looking its best in your thirties and beyond.

Skincare Tip: Don’t start using several new products at once. If you have a reaction, you won’t know which product has caused the issue.