It's strange how just being gone a week can get me so out of wack. But anyway this is just a quick post, with a video of me getting ready from the other night.
It's the new year right, and people like to make resolutions, especially concerning their health (diet, fitness etc). I thought I'd share two YouTubers that I came across recently and I think are really cool and would help jump start a more health conscious lifestyle.
-Click on their names for more videos.
Blogilates - I like her videos because a lot of them are short enough for me to sqeeeeeeeze in in the mornings when I'm in a rush. Also they're not as daunting since I'm kind of a NON-exerciser and super easy to jump in and get my heart rate up.
The 100 Workout | POP Pilates
PSY GANGNAM STYLE Cardio Dance Workout! (강남스타일) | POP Cardio
Bubble Butt (Clenching my Booty) Workout | POP Pilates for Beginners
BODYNOMICS- I like these videos because I don't want to be too muscular, I definitely want to maintain a "curvier" figure. And a lot of her exercises are targeted for the areas I want to remain the same and/or make bigger. LOL.
#TEAM HOURGLASS...GET WIDER CURVIER HIPS!
Is Having That Lower Belly Pooch Giving You The Blues?
Hope these videos help. Let me know if you try and like them below.
So I've been raving about this lipstick for the past forever it feels like, so I decided to do a tutorial with it.
This is another really easy look I created with only 3 eyeshadow colors. Yes, THREE! So believe me when I say easy. I paired the looked with the infamous Black Cherry lipstick by Revlon, but you don't have to. You can play it down by wearing a nude lip or even a pink one. The eyes are simple and can work with any number of lip colors.
Hope you like it.
Why so serious?
Loving this lipstick!
Thanks for stopping by, be sure to share and comment if you like it.
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.
Instagram
Jeffrey Campbell shoes
American Apparel disco pants
Curly fros
Manicured/Sculpted eyebrows
It's been a while since I posted a top 5 aholics. But there's my list. I had to do some very strategic downsizing ("eeney meeney miney mo") to settle on just 5.
In no particular order the aforementioned items have been things that I've been addicted to. I'd be hard pressed to say that I've gone a day without thinking about/using one of them at least once.
Instagram: I joined many moons ago but never really used it. But early this school year I started posting semi-daily outfit of the day pictures. I've since stopped in favor of posting it to my blog. But I do still use the app as a way to see other peoples fashion, food and randomness. LOVE it. If you have an Instagram account leave ur user name below and I'll follow you. Mine is @f3mb0t. (Same on Twitter) We're social creatures and Instagram is just another medium for us to stay connected.
Jeffrey Campbell shoes: If you don't know this designer you may just live under a rock, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. I love his shoes. LOVE LOVE! As in I'd be willing to give up cupcakes for one TWO months for another pair and I LOVE cupcakes!His shoes are ultra comfortable and absolutely fabulous. They can really spice up an outfit. Check here for my recent haul.
American Apparel disco pants: I bought my first pair last year around the same time I bought my first pair of Litas (Campbells). It was love at first sight. I put them on and basically never took them off. Like my Lita's I took any and every opportunity to wear them out. they are AMAZING and a great investment piece. Heavier than leggings and way more fashionable they were a great addition to my collection of bottom. I've since bought a red pair and will be getting navy soon. Here are some outfits I styled with them here, here and here.
Curly Fros: Since ending my 4 month Hide Your Hair Challenge I've been loving wearing my hair curly. Obviously being natural myself I'm biased towards this look because it's so easily achieved, but aside from that it's really cute and chic look. My favorite method is a flat twist out with the ends bantu knoted. Here's a tutorial on how to achieve the look. I recently did this to my hair as well, here.
Last year
Twist and Curl
TWA
Manicured eyebrows: I don't wax my eyebrows anymore and rarely pluck them so this method helps keep them looking crisp. I don't wear (eye) makeup on a daily basis because I'm in school and just don't have that kind of time. But I've found that just by having nice looking eyebrows my whole face looks put together. It really makes a difference. If you don't do anything do your eyebrows, and it doesn't mean you have to fill them in or line them with concealer. Just brushing them or gelling them down is enough effort.
Simple brows
Perfect Eyebrow Tutorial
Honorable Mentions and Repeat Offender
Law and Order SVU
YouTube
Mint (Financial site/app)
What are some of your latest addictions? How do you feel about mine? I definitely recommend them.
So a while back I ordered curlformers (from eBay here) and I've been anxious to use them. I took my long twists out on a few days ago and thought I'd try them out before I moved on to my next protective style.
I prepped my hair by washing, detangling and sectioning my hair into four. Moisturized the hair with leave in conditioner and sealed with oil. I broke the sections into three two strand twists for a total of 12 twist. I pulled the twists into a low ponytail and braided it to further stretch the hair. I left it in for day.
Before installing the curlformers I sprayed my hair to get it DAMP with a conditioner, water and oil mix then proceeded to apply the curlfomers. It definitely takes a few tries to get the hang of it.
There were 24 curlformers in the pack so each twist could take 2 curlformers.
Results: The curls were fabulous for the first two days. Loved that my curls were slightly elongated. But I didn't use any kind of holding product (gel, setting lotion, mouse, etc) so it didn't hold up after two nights of the pineapple method. My night time routine of pineappling my hair stretched it out considerably but I turned it into a cute updo and then later a high bun. Either way I'm in LOVE with my curlformers and will need to buy more so that I can create more curls.
I separated the curls and picked my roots for volume.
Here are some tutorials on how to use them. It does take some time before you get the hang of it. But the results are fabulous, just make sure you're careful not to tug on your hair.
I'm addicted to dark lips and Jeffrey Campbells. Watch me as I get ready for the night.
Lipstick: Black Opal #11 Ebony Wine
I did a simple neutral eye and featured dark purplish brown lips. I wore a cream high low top with my black American Apparel Disco Pants and of course my JC Over Heres. LOVE them, wore them for 6 hours and my feet were fine, no pain or lose of balance. They are super easy to walk and dance in even tipsy.
This is the first time I wore my hair out as well. I think it looks pretty good, and as expected it shrank slightly by the end of the night.
I was bored and it's been a while since I've worn (a full face of) makeup. I decided to try a more "elaborate" look. I wanted to use glitter but since the ones I ordered haven't arrived yet I used what I had and this is what I came up with. Hope you like it.
Mostly drugstore makeup and LASHES! I'm getting so much better at application :)
Darker Lips (with gold center)
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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.
As part of my "hide your hair challenge" I'll already be transitioned and prepared for colder weather. But here are some ideas on how to transition into fall. Fall and winter months are great times to do protective styling but it is very important not to negelect your hair and its need for moisture. Simple "protection" will not and should not be the end of your efforts.
And remember that even thought here is a wealth of info out there not all of it will work for you. Just do what you feel is right and works best for YOUR hair. I've included some links for more information at the bottom as well.
School buses, leaves in lovely orange, red and golden hues and cooling temperatures signal the end of one season and the beginning of another. Personally, summer is my favorite season. The heat, however, can dry out my hair. Cooler weather has can be beneficial for the hair but once the weather become brutally cold you will need to winter proof your hair to ensure maximum moisture. In providing you a few helpful tips I think it’s important to distinguish between hair care in cool, autumn weather and winter weather. In my experience, hair responds differently to cool temperatures and extreme cold.
Cool Weather Hair Care
Cooler temperatures in the fall bring a decrease in humidity and arid heat. In many ways the weather is conducive to retaining moisture but not humid enough to spoil you well styled braid out. During this time of year you may want to limit your use of products containing glycerin. Products that contain glycerin high on the ingredient list are designed to attract moisture from the air towards your hair. When the air is dry and cool glycerin doesn’t draw moisture from the air. The worst case scenario is that if there is more moisture in your hair than the air, you may suffer from moisture loss. In cool weather, say 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, light moisturizers and light oils to seal in the moisture have worked well for my kinky-coily hair. If you became used to humid, muggy summer that required less weekly application of moisture, you will have to moisturize your hair more regularly, paying special attention to your ends.
Cold Weather Hair Care
I live in New England and right around late October the weather begins to get downright cold, dropping into the 30s and below. During this time of year I find it helpful to have a rich and creamy moisturizer on hand. I am an aloe vera juice fan and will lightly apply the product to my hair before sealing my hair with an oil or butter. For me, products that contain castor oil are wonderful sealants in extreme cold. Castor oil is rather heavy so you might create a mixture with castor oil and a lighter oil like jojoba or olive oil. Be sure to moisturizer you hair before applying oils because, while oils and butters may make you hair feel soft and supple, they don’t actually impart moisture. Remember: If water is not in the product then your hair won’t be moisturized.
During the cold weather I find it necessary to protect the ends of my hair. This includes protective styling but more importantly being mindful of the fabrics in which our hair comes in contact. I have had the hair along my nape break off because of a wool scarf. I was in high school at the time and thanks to my mother’s wisdom I stopped wearing the scarf. Left to my own devices I would have happily continued wearing the scarf as it rubbed against my hair, all the while wondering why the hair along my nape was 7-8 inches shorter than the rest of my hair. Also be mindful of wool coats. Wool pea coats are lovely winter staples but if you wear “out” styles that cause your hair to be in constant contact with you coat consider using a satin or silk dress scarf and folding it over the collar of the coat. The same goes for hats. I’ve seen a few winter hats lined with satin or silk that may be a great option to reduce unnecessary friction between your hair and your clothing.
I hope these tips are helpful as you approach cooler weather. Although, I’m not a fan of the cold I do appreciate the lack of sudden summer down pours and the sweltering humidity that transforms my well styled braid out into, well, something else. As long as you keep your hair moisturized winter hair can be flawless and fabulous just like you.
How do you transition your regimen as the weather cools?
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