December blow out

 My winter Blowout!

Hey girl hey!

It has been a while since I updated you on my hair.

I  have been rocking my twists and twist-outs faithfully.

There have been a few updates to my hair routine and I will touch on that a bit below.

 

I blow dried my hair in sections and twisted each once dry and moved on to the next.

Channeling Diana

My lovely blown-out hair.

 

Working my hair up to the ponytail for the style.

The off center pony tail

My finished look

I added the headband for added style and twisted the hair and pinned it to form a cute style.

The products I used.

Herbal Essences Naked cleansing conditioner

Tangle tamer

Oil mixture

Aussie 3minute moist deep conditioner

Beautiful textures Edges& Ends Silkener

Tresemme Curl hydration conditioner

Pantene heat protection spray

 

The Method:

I washed my hair with the cleansing conditioner (I love this product and it has replaced all other co-washes for me. I love the smell, the cleansing effects, and the feel of my hair).

 I then used the Tresemme (like the smell, not that great just trying to finish the bottle)

 followed by the Aussie deep conditioner (LOVE THIS!!!!) during this time I used a clay mask and bathed

next up was my oil mixture

follow that with a rinse to get the majority of the oil out

 then I dried my hair a bit with my turbie wrap ( I had detangled in the shower with a wide tooth comb under the water and with conditioner in my hair)

 I sectioned my hair and added Shea Moisture Restorative conditioner(not pictured) and detangled more

 then prior to blow drying each section I sprayed in the Pantene product (and of course combed that though)

I used the Tension Method to straighten and dry the lengths of my hair and finger combed or used the Tangle Tamer to straighten the ends

 Once my hair was all dry and twisted in sections I untwisted the sections and applied the Beautiful Textures products to my edges

( I used this for a bit of hold and do not really believe any products will "slick your natural edges")then brushed the hair up and placed my pony tail

 I made two strand twists in the ponytail and then pinned the sections at the ends to form the style

 ( I did not have time for a scared but would have used it here if I did)

I finished off the style with a head band.

 

 

Influenster Venus VoxBox review

Influenster Venus VoxBox

I received the Venus VoxBox from Influenster after indicating that I experience sensitivity when shaving. I received the product this week and have been shaving away with it since then.

 

 

Just out of the box

So what do I think you ask?

 





 

I found the product easy to assemble just out of the package Just a few snaps into place. The Venus Embrace Sensitive comes with one refill and a shower holder.

 

I am very conflicted by the product. The hope is that I would find that #ItsNotMe but the razors I had been using. I found that overall my shave felt smoother and less irritating. The problem that I do have with the product is that it requires shaving gel(which I don't own and soap is not cutting it). I also have found that I have to be very gentle when using the product because it results in a raising of the skin or nics under my arm.

 

I plan to continue using the sample that was provided to me by Influenster and Gillette by adding shave gel. I use another brand that is wrapped with a shave like gel and I love the convenience of that.

 

It is still yet to be determined if I will switch brands.

 

I did go to the store to check the price for this product and at a local chain store it was over $9 which is a bit cheaper than my brand, though keep in mind I will have to add another product to make the shaving easier. really the price points for both are about even.

 

I got this razor free to test and review, but all opinions are my own.

August Birchbox Review | Subscription Box

Birchbox is a monthly subscription services that gives you 5-6 high end beauty product samples a month and a lifestyle extra for $10 a month. 

Such high hopes....

SeaRX Birch Sap Moisturizing Lotion $28

When I read that this product could be used on face and body I thought that was perfect. Unfortunately it was not effective enough to be of benefit on my body. On my face along with the other things I use this was fine. It was not great enough for me to consider a switch from my current products. I did find the smell to be pleasant.

Neil George Shampoo and Conditioner $9  each

These products are proof positive that Birchbox is not a completely customizable experience. I have completely removed hair products from my profile. Weird for a hair blogger right? But the majority of the hair cleansing products I have received include sulfates which I do not like. I tried this for the review and found that my hair felt very dry and I did not like the smell.. The Conditioner did not help replenish the lost moisture either.

The best things about this box:

Birchbox knows I am Fantastic

The Eyeliner

Noir Cosmetics Long Wear Eyeliner $15

This product went one unbelievably smooth. It also did indeed prove waterproof. Only issue was removal :)

Perfectly Posh product review

Perfectly Posh!

 

This week I received a product review from Crystal McGinnis.

Crystal is a Perfectly Posh representative.

I must admit I was unfamiliar with this line.

I am not sure that it is very big in my area of the world YET.

I was very impressed by the way that my products arrived to me.

I will let you in on a secret.....I LOVE bags!!!!

So the fact that this sample kit came with a cute one SCORE!

I was also impressed with the way the samples themselves were packaged.

In this sample I received:

Lil Snarky Big Fat Yummy Hand Cream $9



A creamy and nourishing non greasy hand crème. "adds butters and vitamins plus fabulous fragrance to tired, dry, hard working hands without leaving them feeling oily."

Fragrance Exotic flowers & sandalwood

I enjoyed this product and found that it felt great on my hands and smelled pleasant. I have very dry hands and I am not often satisfied with hand creams. I used the product during the day and therefore washed it off in the course of the day so I did not get to see what the results would have been overnight in gloves.

Dragon Mojo Skindelicious Body Butter $22

Fresh, natural, hand crafted body butters made with all of Mother Nature's best ingredients in Northern California. "Feeds skin nutrients it's hungry for leaving it soft, supple, and healthy. Fragrance: Wasabi & Ginger

I was pleasantly surprised by this product. I have, as stated, very dry skin and typically when I try new products especially those that smell good to me I am dry and un-moisturized by the end of the day. This mojo didn't quit and I was happy. I got two applications out of the sample. If there were one product I would purchase from this line this would be it!

Mint For Each Other Body Scrub $24

Includes sea salt, peppermint, and Monterey rosemary. Exfoliates Fragrance Rosemary Leaf and crisp peppermint

I enjoyed this product but did not find it set aside from other scrubs I have used. I did really like the smell which is important to me.

Gender Bender Big Chunk Bath Bar $9

A luxurious, vegetable based charcoal loaded, Detox bath bar so big, you'll want to put both hands around it. Cleans and moisturizes skin with luxurious lather without sulfates and other drying agents. Fragrance Light Pine, amber, and fresh air

I had no clue what to make of this bar initially. Gender Bender? Charcoal? When I used it I figured it out. You know when you share your home with a man and he insist on using your soap even though it is obviously "girly", this fixes the situation. This soap smells great for any sex. I enjoyed the washing experience with this bar until I washed it off. I felt squeaky clean, this is not a good thing for a dry skin girl. I would not purchase this because I felt stripped of moisture.

Overall I was very pleased with this sample and highly recommend these products to anyone. I think my one bad review is a personal preference thing and I wish I felt differently about it. I love that the products in this line are naturally based and don't have my despised sulfates in them. I received these products free of charge for review. If you are interested please purchase directly from the Lovely Crystal here.

More pictures





The softest hair I have every had!

This past weekend I finally took down my Havana twists with Marley Hair see the picture below.

I was of course appropriately worried that I would have dry, broken hair from not being able to moisturize with the twists in. I was very surprised though as I did my pre-poo, wash, deep condition and styling. My hair was and is (4 days later) the softest I ever remember it being.
I don't know what to attributie it to. The fact that the stylist coated my hair in coconut oil before twisting (the ultimate 4 week pre-poo), the fact that I did my own overnight pre-poo with coconut oil,  the fact that I used  Fekkai Advanced Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner (finally after receiving it in my January 2014 Birchbox),

 the fact that I did a deep conditioning treatment with Cholesterol, used my homemade products from Naptural85's recipe,

 or that I used a bit of my usual Shea Moisture. Many of these things were not new to me so I will be playing around with the combination to see if I can recreate the magic. Meanwhile I am enjoying the results.

More about the Fekkai products. I enjoyed the scent of both products and the fact that they both feature olive oil. I didn't notice a great deal of slip with the conditioner nor did the shampoo seem to strip my hair though it did feature sulfates (which is why I hadn't used it since I received it, but I figured with the pre-poo I would be okay). I was pleasantly surprised with the whole experience and have to try really hard to keep my hands out of my oh so soft hair!

Bichbox Review| June

The heat is back, the clothes are short, and the desire for fun is high....Its June!

This month in my Birchbox (a monthly subscription box that offers high end samples for only $10 a month. Get yours here.) I received great products that came with many compliments.

The Benefits Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara earned me the compliment that my eyes looked much prettier than normal. I don't really like to use mascara because I tend to forget its there and have it all over or have the runny next day look. I found this to be one of the better mascaras I have tried and enjoyed the way it made my eyelashes really pop. If you are interested in this product you can get a full size for $23.

 

The Cynthia Rowley Beauty Creamy Lip Stain in Valentine was my favorite item in the box. I believe I have worn this several times during the week, every week since I received it in the box. I was also told that I must be dressing up for a man and that the pink looked great on me! I normally shy away from bold lips, as I have previously stated, but I am working on being bold and comfortable in my skin. I enjoy that the stain stays creamy for quiet a while before it sets. It is then less creamy but keeps the majority of its color. I only had difficulty when I forgot it was there and started biting the skin on my lips....whoops. A full size is $20. 

 

I will  never really get to form a solid opinion on the English Laundry Signature for Her fragrance because the second my mother caught a whiff of it she claimed it as her own. It was her birthday and how could I say no...but my mother says "I like it because it was not too strong and its soft scented". A full size is $90.

 

I used the Evologie Stay Clear Cleanser most days to see if it would result in less blemishes. I would say that it was pretty successful and was not over drying. I really never go without drying but that is simply my skin cycle. It was a nice marine scent and very nice feeling on the skin. A full size is $32.

 

The only product I didn't get to use is the Number 4 Hair Super Comb Prep & Protect product. It is a conditioning spray that protects from the sun. I have my hair braided and don't want to get any buildup that I can't cleanup. If this product works well it will likely be in my emergency travel hair kit. You naturals know what I mean:) A full size of this product is $32.  

 

 

The theme of this month's box is "Away We Go" complete with a

quiz to suggest where the Birchbox subscriber's should travel to....

How I wish I could take a vacation this year.

 

Birchbox Review| May

Birchbox is a monthly subscription services that gives you 5-6 high end beauty product samples a month and a lifestyle extra for $10 a month. 

 

See the video below for the products I received in May:

Caldrea: The body wash had a very strong perfume smell, but this smell wasn't overbearing once washed off. It did not leave my skin either dry or moisturized. It was a fine product and if I liked body wash (I'm a soap girl) and wanted to pay $18 for it I would consider this brand. Actually I wouldn't because I would be looking for something that left my skin moisturized.

Marcelle 8-in-1 serum: I am not sure how long you are supposed to use this product to expect results. I think I made it a week. I found that it fit in well in my routine and my face felt nice. I don't however think that a week is long enough for me to evaluate its ability to lift, firm and plump fine lines. A full size of this runs $34 so I fear I will never know. :)

Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm: This felt nice and I am still adjusting to the pop of color. It is a very mod shade (pink) and I rotate it in with the other things I like to flavor my lips with.  $8 for a full size.

Supergoop Everyday SPF 30 with Cellular Response Technology: I really liked this sunscreen. It has a pleasant not sunscreen smell to it. I also found that it didn't make me sweat, am I the only one who sweats when they put make up on their face? I will definitely be using this again and may even consider a purchase at $19 for a full time.

Lifestyle extra

Votivo candle in Azure Garden: I enjoyed the smell in the tin. The candle did not put out tons of scent while burning. A full size will run between $12 and $26.

When  think about it the issue with Birchbox is that it gives you high end samples for only $10 total and if you are frugal like me the real thing is out of your price point. But I will continue to enjoy my dabble into the high end each month I receive products. Happy Weekend!

Jamberry versus regular nail lacquer

 

 

 

 

Several weeks ago during her Jamberry launch a former classmate of mine sent me a sample of her Jamberry nail color strips. I have been a long time user of the Sally Hansen Salon effects nail strips. I was very pleased with this new option because painting my nails with nail polish never lasts for me. I tend to have chips before I even make it out of the house.

Jamberrys are a more natural version made with less harsh products. They also come with more options than the nail color strips you can find in most stores. I was excited to try out the product. I also received a new Color Club nail lacquer in Gold Struck in my April Birchbox. I must say that Color Club makes my favorite traditional nail poish.

Pros

Jamberry products are much longer  lasting than traditional nail color and do not require top coats for shine. They are also less harsh than other products. You can also safely reuse extra pieces for your dogs or children's nails. No Drying Time! Results remain the same the entire time the strips are on your nails with the exception of a few minor chips.

Cons

The biggest con for me is that the strips are subject to human error, this is a major concern for me because my fine motor skills are not the best, I ended up with lumpy nails. Also the nail strips require an additional step from the Sally Hansen products, you must use a heat source (according to the instructions).

 

You can pick up your own Jamberry products here. I also recommend actually watching the recommended video for application available here.

 

Over all I find this to be a great product that I would use for special occasions only because I would have to really focus to get a proper application. Other than that I plan to use up the traditional nail polish that I have gotten free through my Birchbox subscription or gifts.

 

Hacks for Straightening Natural Hair

Every few months I get tired of pretending to love the shrinking power of my natural hair. During these times I think of ways to switch up my look. Often I explore a straight style. 

Over the years I have learned a few tricks that result in straighter hair and love to share the wealth. 

To get from this :

To this: 

I use a blow dryer and a flat iron.

Tips:

1. Use a a heat protectant and make sure the hair is moisturized. 

2. Pull on the hair during blow drying rather than using a comb. 

3. Use a flat iron to follow a rat tail comb as you straighten the hair.

4. Limit passes with the flat iron. 

5. Part the hair in really small sections, this can be very difficult if you have thick dense hair and little patience. 

Dry hair breaks and that typically isn't the desired effect, hair also burns which would ruin my growth goals.  I find that pulling my hair while I dry it results in more stretching than using a comb. If you have ever attempted to straighten very curly hair without a comb I have just given you the best tool you'll ever use. Using the comb prevents the hair from remaining tangled and staying a flattened curly mess. Lastly to limit the potential damage I try to only go through the hair once or twice.   

Below are my most recent results. 

~Curls and love!

Pinterest Inspired Twisted Updo

I happened upon this lovely style on Pinterest and with a scheduled hair appointment I needed a style to recreate.

I was very excited going into my appointment I often attempt styles but don't always give myself and A with what is accomplished. I found the experience to be a bit of a let down though. I had to redirect the stylist to keep her following the style and then the result was a bit flat and wasn't what I expected. I attempted to help her rearrange but she was convinced that I needed to add some hair. I later fixed the hair myself and the last picture is what I ended up with.
I was also not thrilled with the cost given I really could have done this style myself, with the exception of needing help with the parting. I think in future I will have someone part my hair and do the twisting myself.

February Birchbox

As March sets in and my March Birchbox travels on its way to me I realize I neglected to share my February box. oopsie. 

The Agave oil is still my favorite of all that I received in my box, the oil made my hair feel so amazing. I have not yet used the OPI nail color, I have just not had the energy on the weekends (my typical painting time). I have not yet had the teas, not really my thing, but they are on my to do list. The Clauadlie face wash was nice, but not enough to replace my current scrub. The DDF oil cleanser is very light weight and fits in well with my normal routine.

Catch you later!
~Love~

My wig adventures

I have always been anti-fake hair....mostly because I fear someone would call me out if I wore hair not completely mine. Also because I like a more natural look, this comes from a time in my life when I wore contacts and make up all the time. I found myself unhappy with myself without these things and struggled to see the beauty in the mirror. I found myself wishing I had the attributes I did when I was "made up". I decided then to get more comfortable with me as is and that has stuck ever since high school.

This issue I face now is that straight hair is not an option for me because I workout too often, as a natural girl the result is no longer straight hair. It is also not an option for me to color my hair, its not in line with my natural, healthy hair care policy. My hair resists color until it is too weak to resist and what is left is beautiful color (not the one I wanted) and hair that breaks and splits until the color is gone. Since the base color of my hair is red when I try or a stylist tries for a blond or light brown I always end up with red.

For all of these reasons I decided to find a wig, to change up my look and not have to damage my hair with heat frequently. Check out the wigs I tried and the ones that I stuck with.

The funny things is after I picked the winning wig, I went to get it trimmed some. I walked into one salon and the stylist asked "you don't have extensions do you?" to which I replied "I have a wig." Her response was "We don't cut wigs here." So It may be a while before I have the courage to wear this lovely thing out and about.

 

~Love~

Braid and roll "bun" tutorial

Though it may seem silly to protect your hair when it is straight, I find it necessary. The first few days my hair was straight I wore it down and noticed that it pulled on everything it touched. So here is one of the first styles I created to keep it safe from the elements and coats.  

Protective style on straight natural hair

This past weekend I got my hair straightened, cut, and deep conditioned at Good Hair Day Salon in Duncanville,TX. My stylist Tekayla was a breath of fresh air compared to what I last experienced.  I told her to go ahead and cut all of the split ends that needed to be cut. She continuously asked me if I was sure while she was doing it, I now know why. My hair was at near bra strap length now it is near collar bone length. :''(.

But now my hair is 90% healthy. My plan is to be consistent with frequent trims as that is the only thing that has been missing in my hair care practices.  My thought was if I'm not damaging the ends why would they split. But considering every person that has touched my hair the last three years has been hesitant to cut all that needs it then I space out the trims 5 months apart....of course it would be damaged. So I have always booked my need trim with Tekayla.

So here are some pictures of what my hair looks like now and a cute style I played with tonight...see you soon. 

Don't forget to check out my Youtube videos as well. www.youtube.com/texygirl

Mega Effects Mascara

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Purchase yours from me and see how dramatic your lashes can look!

Product Review | got 2b Oil-licious

A few weeks ago Walgreens had a deal which involved you getting a coupon for the amount you spent on several products. One of those products that I purchased was got 2b Oil-licious Triple Oil Golden Shimmer Conditioner by Schwarkopf. I was excited about the idea that I may see some shimmer in my hair and that it was triple oil. It also claims to repair, strengthen, provide anti-frizz benefits, and glisten.
My basic read on this product is that I am glad it was free.

Pro: I love the smell (its creamy and sweet)
        Water is the first ingredient
         I love the way it leaves my hair smelling great
         I have noticed more shine in my hair

Cons: It contains alcohol
          The three oils it brags about are near the bottom of the ingredient list
           It is artificially fragranced
           It provides no slip (I finally found out what that is and this doesn't have it)
           My hair feels no more moisturized after it is applied
           I didn't notice the shimmer at all

I will finish the bottle but I will not purchase more in the future. I am glad that I was able to try this out as I had seen it from time to time and wondered. I do really enjoy the fragrance as my shampoo is naturally fragranced and it doesn't last very long. I think this conditioner is meant for someone that is looking for a light moisturizing conditioner as it mentions being non-greasy, I need EXTRA moisture. I don't mind grease :)

I purchased this product with my own money and receive no compensation for my view on the product. All views are expressly my own.

I appreciate subscriptions and comments.

Waterfall ponytail (with a twist) tutorial

I had a date a few weeks ago the best part of the date was my first visit to P.F. Changs and this hairstyle. I did the typical thing: played in my twist out too long and waited until the last minute to try to do something with it. This style was relatively simple and I'm proud of myself for creating an original style. It's simply a ponytail with a twist in the front and hair added from the back. My hair is too thick to pull it all back without too much strain on the edges and all of the hair disappearing in a fight to escape the ponytail holder.
The things I used to create the style were: ponytail holder, Bobbie pins, hair clips, Shea Moisture Curl enhancing smoothie, Giovanni direct leave in, oil mixture, water, gel, and a scarf.  I don't know how my date felt about my hair but he asked for another date so it must not have been too bad. ;)


Check out the video below for instructions.

 

And see the pictures of the style as well.