My Natural Hair Journey: Still Going Strong in 2024

I've been on my natural hair journey for over three years now, and I'm loving it more and more every day. My hair is healthier, stronger, and more beautiful than it's ever been. I’ve learned so much about myself and hair through this process. I’ve also learned a thing or two, and per request, (via my Instagram poll) here we are.

In the beginning, I struggled with transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. I didn't know how to care for my hair properly, and I was constantly frustrated with the results. So, I said forget it, let’s cut it all off. My hair was breaking off, I was under an enormous amount of stress and depression was wreaking havoc in my life.

For the first year, I still didn’t take care of my hair. I really didn’t know what to do. I washed it and detangled it, and constantly kept it wrapped up. Then I moved to protective styles - my go to box braids and wigs.

What have I learned?

One of the most important things I've learned is that you have to learn what your hair likes. I noticed that my hair showed characteristics of being low porosity and I started trying travel sized products before purchasing full sized versions not knowing if I would like them or not. 

I’ve also learned that natural 4c hair can curl, I never thought my hair would turn into beautiful wet looking curls. I love rocking a wash and go when I have time to “do the wash and go” process. 

Pattern Beauty - On the Go Trial Kit

Natural Hair Journey Starter Kit

My Favorite Curly Products:

The doux honey line

Pattern Beauty - Hydration Shampoo, Heavy Conditioner, Jojoba Oil Blend, and Edge Control 

Camille Rose - Almond Jai Twisting Butter; perfect for juicy twists.   

The Doux - Mousse Def Texture Foam, Big Poppa Define Gel, Crazy Sexy Curl Foam, Bee Girl Curl Enhancer 

My Favorite Straight Hair Products:

Olaplex: Hair Perfector, Maintenance Bonder Shampoo, Bond Maintenance Conditioner, Bonding Oil

T3 Micro Hair Tools: T3 FEATHERWEIGHT STYLEMAX, Airbrush One Step, Curl Trio Kit, Lucea Flat Iron

Overall, I'm so grateful for my natural hair journey. It's been a journey of self-discovery and self-love. I've learned so much about myself and my hair, and I'm more confident than ever.

If you're thinking about going natural, I encourage you to try it, especially if you don't wear your hair out anyway, what’s the point in relaxing it. I’m always going to be team, ‘Do what you like’ and what makes you feel like the best version of yourself. 

Fresh Floral Fragrances for Women

If you’re looking for a new fragrance and enjoy fresh florals, you’re in the right place! If you’re not sure, I can still help, but I recommend that you check out my beginner’s guide first!  

Fresh floral fragrances are perfect for women who want to smell clean, natural, and feminine. They are often light and airy, with a touch of sweetness. Some of the most popular fresh floral fragrances for women include:

• Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue

• Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia

• Chanel No. 5

• Miss Dior

• Gucci Bloom

• Armani Acqua di Gioia

These fragrances are all perfect for everyday wear, and they can also be dressed up for special occasions. They are all long-lasting, so you can enjoy their fresh scent all day long.

If you are looking for a fresh floral fragrance that is unique and special, there are many options to choose from. You can find fragrances that feature different types of flowers, such as roses, lilies, jasmine, and peonies. You can also find fragrances that combine floral notes with other scents, such as citrus, woods, or spices.

No matter what your taste, there is sure to be a fresh floral fragrance that you will love. So go ahead and experiment until you find the perfect one for you. One of my favorite things to do is go fragrance shopping. Take advantage of samples and enjoy smelling fragrances at the store. You’ll be surprised what you like. If you’re not a big fan of shopping in stores and feel the pressure to purchase, stores often offer sample packs with a discount to purchase the full size of the chosen bottle.

You may enjoy the Skylar Clean Beauty Dreamy Discovery Kit.

Here are a few tips for choosing a fresh floral fragrance:

• Consider your skin type. If you have oily skin, you may want to choose a fragrance that is not too heavy or sweet.

• Think about the occasion. If you are looking for a fragrance to wear to work, you may want to choose something more subtle.

• Experiment with different fragrances. Don't be afraid to try different fragrances until you find one that you love. Write down notes that you enjoy. Start paying attention to similar fragrances you enjoy and see if they have any similarities. 

With so many great fresh floral fragrances to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect one for you. So go ahead and start your search today! Stay updated on my fragrance find by following me on my fragrance Instagram.

Everything You Need To Know About Subdermal Fat And Beauty

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The word “subdermal fat” doesn’t get much air time in beauty communities, but it can make a fantastic difference to your appearance. Boosting the amount of subdermal fat you have and improving its distribution has a tremendous impact on how youthful and supple your face and body look. 

But what do you actually know about it? Well, this blog is here to help. Here, we discuss everything you ever wanted to know about subdermal fat and how you can use it to your advantage. Read on to learn more. 

What Is Subdermal Fat?

Subdermal fat is the layer of fat that sits directly below the skin. It’s part of the body’s way of plumping and fleshing out the face, and storing energy. 

When you are young, subdermal fat tends to accumulate evenly in smooth layers. As you age, the distribution changes significantly, altering your appearance. 

The Relationship Of Subdermal Fat To Beauty

The relationship between subdermal fat and beauty is strong. As people get older, the amount of adipose tissue around the cheeks and temples tends to decline, while it increases significantly in the neck and jowls. This process is one of the primary factors that cause people to look older. Their face shape changes. 

That’s why many techniques designed to rejuvenate your face focus on this critical layer. Filler and even micro facelifts all attempt to restore lost fat volume, making your complexion appear fundamentally more youthful. 

Unfortunately, as you age, the subdermal fat that made you beautiful when you were young starts to disappear. Over time, it loses its bulk, and you wind up with wrinkles and a more gaunt appearance (unless you are significantly overweight). 

What Affects Subdermal Fat Thickness? 

Fortunately, you can adopt various strategies to improve subdermal fat distribution across your body and face. Certain lifestyle interventions can have a tremendous impact on subdermal fat levels.

For instance, avoid nutrient deprivation. Starving yourself for long periods will reduce fat deposits under the skin, and they may struggle to recover. 

Also, ensure you eat plenty of phytochemical-rich plants. These contain compounds that preserve the delicate fat balance under the skin and ensure it remains more youthful.

Another thing you can do is avoid going out in the sun too often. Too much exposure can dramatically increase damage to your skin and deeper dermal layers, causing fat deposits to thin. Have a good skincare routine has also proven to be helpful. Always remember to wear your SPF even if the sun isn’t out.

Subdermal Fat Treatments

If lifestyle factors aren’t working for you, you can try other approaches. For instance, many clinics now offer fat transfusions. Here, surgeons harvest fat from one part of your body where you have enough and put it in other places where you lack sufficient adiposity to make yourself look youthful. For instance, they might take fat from the thighs and inject it into the cheeks. 

Many clinics also now offer micro facelifts, as mentioned above. These essentially provide many of the benefits of a facelift but without the invasiveness of a full-blown procedure. 

These treatments will usually last a year or more, and they can enhance lifestyle-related efforts you make.

At the end of the day, you deserve to look and feel your best! Do what makes you happy!

Let's Celebrate National Lipstick Day | July 29

Beauty lovers rejoice, #NationalLipstickDay is on the way! 

National Lipstick Day is celebrated on July 29th every year. It is a day to celebrate the beauty and power of lipstick. Lipstick is one of my favorite makeup products. Grabbing a bright and bold lip color always makes me feel better when I'm feeling blue. 

It is available in a variety of colors, finishes, and brands. Lipstick can be used to enhance the natural beauty of the lips or to create a more dramatic look. As black women, we’ve always been told to shy away from bright or nude lipsticks because they wouldn’t look great on our skin, but wrong! With a bit of lipliner, anything is possible!

For centuries, lipstick has been used by women all over the world. It is a symbol of femininity and confidence. Lipstick can make you feel beautiful and powerful. It can also be a way to express your personality.

There are many different ways to wear lipstick. You can apply it with a brush, a wand, or your fingers. You can wear it alone, or with other makeup. You can wear it for everyday wear, or for special occasions. It’s totally up to you! 

Here are some of my favorite lipsticks in my collection.

Ruby Woo by MAC 

It’s a classic, a vivid matte blue-red, paired with the same or their iconic Chestnut lip liner will be a hit every time! 

#2020 by Juvia’s Place 

A pretty pinky-brown nude color made with brown girls in mind! Simply beautiful!

Ashton by Anastasia Beverly Hills

Neutral Brown Liquid Lipstick - I fell in love with this color when I got my makeup done, it was the perfect nude brown on my skin! Gorgeous! 

She’s Royal by Juiva’s Place 

It’s a gloss, but so pretty that it makes the cut! This pretty plum color is divine and will compliment a variety of skin tones! 

Lipstick Fun Facts 

• The first lipstick was made from beeswax and crushed insects.

• Cleopatra was known for her love of lipstick. She used a mixture of red ochre, beeswax, and honey to color her lips.

• In the Victorian era, women were not allowed to wear lipstick in public. It was considered to be a sign of prostitution.

• During World War II, lipstick was rationed in the United States. Women were only allowed to purchase one tube of lipstick per month.

• Today, there are over 3,000 different shades of lipstick available on the market.

So on National Lipstick Day, don't forget to put on your favorite lipstick and celebrate the beauty of your lips!