I went thrifting this past Friday and scored some sweet denim pieces. I had stopped by Target right before and bought two denim tops, both on sale (one $16.08 and the other $6.88).
**Ignore the blurriness, had my camera on manual focus and didn't realize it.
One of the tops I returned.
I have been looking tirelessly for a new denim top but didn't want to pay too much (bargain hunter). I usually never had any luck in thrift stores because I'm so petite and what I DO find is entirely to large for me to wear and make work. So I gave in and bought the tops, which were really cute and worth it. Or so I thought.
I ended up stopping at Vinnies (St Vincent Du Paul) and as luck would have it I hit the proverbial mother load. Literally found 6 denim tops. I ended up buying 3 of them (one was a heavier denim, between a shirt and a jacket and another one even had rhinestones)!
I also bought a pair of acid wash high waist jeans and an acid wash jacket for $1 each! SCORE!
I'll be rocking a lot of denim (on denim) looks now! Also look for a DIY, thinking about bleaching and adding studs to some of the pieces.
So I decided to share one of my DC mixes with you guys. It's super easy and really moisturizing.
I've been using this for about as long as I've been natural.
I started using "Curly Girl" friendly products early on, not realizing that that was what I was doing. I steered clear of harsh chemicals and things that I couldn't pronounce in my hair products. I began using food and natural oils and what not instead. This deep conditioner is no different. Aside from the Sauve conditioner the other ingredients are natural.
Recipe
1 ripe avocado
coconut oil (melted)
cheap conditioner (for the base)
Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque (Raw Shea Butter)
other
any other oils or thicker conditioners that you want to add
You DO NOT have to use the same ingredients that I did. If you prefer olive oil or castor oil, you can add those or both etc. And if you don't have those conditioners just add whatever cheap conditioner you have around or a go to moisturizing one (like Tresemme Naturals).
Another thing is measurements are at your own discretion. I wanted the benefits of the avocado to outweigh the other ingredients so I added them accordingly.You do not need to do the same if that is not your intention.
Here is my tutorial. Enjoy.
Hope this helps.
Let me know if you try it out.
Found this video after I had issues saving mine. Very informative!
Deep Conditioning ~ What is it (What you need to know)
I thought I'd look back and make a list of some of my favorite things from 2012.
Some of these items jumped right out at me, and other I had to think about. You'll notice a couple repeat offenders, I am an addict, and also some more recent trends and addictions.
These are in no particular order, but I did organize them (or attempt to) by category.
Click on the links to read/see more about it.
Studs and spikes have had real staying power these last couple of seasons. And I love it, they really toughen up a look. You can stud pretty much anything, collars, shoes, shorts, you name it. Here's a tutorial on studding shorts.
My most frequent attempts at a monochromatic look usually involved all black, but this winter I want to try all whites and of course other colors, but especially white. This also applies to prints. I've been really into matching prints, like with suits. That's a really easy way to achieve the look too.
Beauty
Vampy lips (here, here and a majority of my OOTD)
Afro/curly hair (here, here and here)
Ombre hair (with or with out colored ends)
Revlon photo ready concealers
Mario Bedsecu Drying Lotion (here, review to come)
I LOVE dark vampy lips. It's become one of my go to looks no matter the occasion. I recently fell in love with Black Cherry by Revlon (see here) and I have a tutorial with it coming soon. Until then here's an ombre vampy lip.
Revlon's photo ready concealers (I'm a color 006) are amazing. This is one of the few concealers that actually match my skin and covers my dark marks and blemishes plus it's really affordable. I use it every time I put on make, or just by itself for a more natural look. I've started using a lighter color for under my eyes when I'm really getting glammed up. MB's drying lotion is amazing I just apply it to a new pimple at night and it has reduced in size by the next day and gone on the 2nd day. LOVE it!
Ombre hair
Other
Instagram (here)
iPad(s) (here)
blogs
2012 election
DIY fashion (anything DIY) (here, here, here and here)
Blogs have been a fabulous source of information and inspiration. I love networking and just meeting new people via blogs and who themselves blog. It is a great form of self expression. Here are some that I frequent (Circle of Squares, BGLH, Dulce Candy, Style Pantry and CurlyNikki, for a full list check out the blogs that I follow here or click on my profile).
This year was the first year I actually followed the election somewhat closely. I watched the debates, read up on the issues etc. I knew who I wanted to win, and who I'd vote for if I could (one day, SOON). Politics became interesting too, albeit stressing at times. But it's good to be informed, especially on the local and state level. Voting is not an every 4 year thing, you have governors, mayors, representatives etc. Make sure you guys are doing your part!
DIYs!! I love them. They are great ways to save money and an outfit. I think I'm more into DIYs now that I started sewing (which helps with some of the projects). But you guys should definitely check out places like YouTube and Pinterest for ideas.
Honorable mentions
The Mayans being wrong (Epic Fail)
Crop tops (here)
Stiletto nails
Avengers (the movie)
Glitter
I know I'm not the only one happy that the world didn't end the 21st. But the Mayans were smart, they predicted the world would end, but died before anyone could question them about it. Stiletto nails just look really cool to me, despite not appearing functional or practical, in my opinion. I'd never get them but I enjoy looking at them and seeing different nail design on them.
Hope you guys enjoyed this post, because I enjoyed writing it.
What were some of your favorites this past year? Any of them on this list?
Comment and let me know.
Hey ya'll crop tops are so in right now (despite the weather) here is a really easy and cheap tutorial on a sheer crop top. You can pair it with high waisted jeans, skirts etc
Let me know if you try it out. This would look really cute with some patterned tights as well.
Well turns out the Mayans were wrong, a solid effort on their part though. On a brighter note Christmas is almost here and I'm sure some of you were banking on the end of the world and didn't bother buying gift, WHOOPS. Lol, well since that plan didn't work out too well here are some easy DIY gifts.
Until the next near apocalypse.
Some of my own DIY gift are a painting, hand knit scarves, hats and a blanket (I'll post pictures soon).
Cheap Gift Ideas for Your Boyfriend! DIY and BUY!
CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR GIRLS
DIY Natural Body & Facial Scrubs (DIY Gift)
Last Minute Christmas DIY Gifts :)
DIY Phone Case (Gift Ideas)
This link includes things like Homemade hot sauce, bath bombs, and a bracelet.
Pinterest is another great place to find DIY ideas, otherwise a simple Google search will bring up a plethora of options.
Save time on your weekends and late nights by cutting back on your deep conditioning time. Over night conditioning isn't necessary and or more effective than a quick 30 minute conditioning. The most important aspect is the conditioner that you use and it's ingredients.
My deep conditioning regimen: every Saturday or Sunday depending on my schedule. I section my hair in four or more and dampen with water then apply the conditioner mix on each section. I cover my hair with a shower cap, then my Turbie Twist and finally a (winter) hat.
Conditioner Mix Recipe-
Treseme Nautrals (or any conditioner I have on hand- ex Giovanni's)
Aloe Vera Juice
Honey (or Glycerin or other humectant- absorb moisture)
Coconut Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
Optional:
Castor Oil
Almond Oil
Avocado (just the green part blended)
The oils are interchangeable, but EVOO and coconut oil are some of the best ones to use.
I don't use any particular measurements, just whatever looks right, but the majority of it is Conditioner.
Check out the whole post on Deep Conditioning here at BGLH
For the past couple of weeks we have been talking deep conditioning.
Today is the turn of two factors that are really key namely temperature (should you use heat when conditioning?) and time (should you leave a conditioner on for hours?).
Now for the purpose of this post, I will again define a conditioner
as a water based conditioner (deep, intensive, mask or rinse out). If
you are using oil, this is completely different and its own rules apply.
So will heat and time affect conditioning? The quick answer
Increased time and temperature do increase the amount of conditioner adsorbed to the surface of hair. The maximum time is 20-30 minutes and the maximum temperature is around 35°C.
The long answer
I am being very general in this post because the fact is that every
single ingredient that can adsorb and/or penetrate into hair (e.g surfactant or protein) actually
has its own unique behaviour when added to a conditioner. This is also
affected by other ingredients in the conditioner. However there are
common similarities in behaviour and these are the ones I wish to
emphasise.
1. Increasing the time you leave conditioner on hair allows more of it to adsorb with a maximum adsorption at 20- 30 minutes.
The key ingredients that can stick to hair (surfactants, hydrolysed protein, silicones, polyquats etc) will
do so within seconds of applying the conditioner. If left on hair for
longer, the amount will in general double within 10 minutes. If left on
for another 10-20 minutes, the amount will increase by another 60-100%
of the mark set at 10 minutes.
However after 30 minutes from initial application,
there are no more increases in conditioner adsorbing to hair. The reason
for this is that the hair conditioner simply has no more places on the
hair where it can stick to…….all gaps which it can plug and all surfaces
where it can attach are occupied.
2. Increasing the temperature of a conditioner to surface body temperature (around 35°C) increases adsorption of a conditioner
Temperature increases the adsorption of conditioner such that
slightly more can stick to the surface. Generally tests are not
performed much higher than 35-40°C in order to not burn the skin.
This is a super cute idea a for a DIY project. If I had my sewing machine I'd attempt it this weekend but sadly that is not the care.
Let me know if you try it. You can definitely use different fabrics and colors to make it you own. Think oxblood red, very on trend.
Check out more of SecretLifeofaBioNerd's DIY and fashion videos by clicking on her name (link) below. Her tutorials are fun and pretty easy to follow. And if you're a aspiring designer like myself she has some very helpful videos on sewing techniques etc.
