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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Chi Town Bound: What's In My Bag?

Patterns & Bold Colors

Some of My Favorite Accessories

Stuff to Keep Me Busy on the Plane: Sketchbook/Markers, The Life of Langston Hughes [Vol:2]

Zebra Platforms/Aldo - Gold/Brown Heels/Tory Burch - Black Peep-Toes/Report - Black Slouchy Boots/Michael Kors

Over-the-knee Mirrored Wedge Boot/Jeffrey Campbell 

I am so looking forward to the vintage shopping, cheating on my diet, inspiration, and of course pictures! I hope everyone has a dynamic week! I am bringing my laptop so I will most definitely update while on the road.

Sending you all love and light! :-)

Hot Honey/Oil Treatment


Last night I did a hot honey/oil treatment and Whoa Nelly! Oil + Honey = shiny, soft hair! I decided to use Brazil Nut oil because it acts as a mega conditioner, leaving your hair soft, and manageable. The addition of honey was for more sheen and also for it's humectant properties. Humectants attract water molecules [moisture] and binds them along your hair shaft. This results in hair that is properly hydrated, and less likely to break. This is a great treatment to try during these warm summer months if you are having issues retaining moisture.


Note: I use the double broiler method because sometimes heating up natural oils/butters in the microwave can kill a lot of their nutrients & moisturizing properties.

Here's what you will need:
Small Bowl
Small Saucepan
Honey
Spoon


Here's what you do:
Fill your saucepan halfway w/water, and bring to a boil
Place your small bowl in the saucepan of water [like a double broiler]
Immediately add honey + Brazil Nut oil until it is the consistency of conditioner
Once the mixture is warm to the touch, remove the bowl from the heat
Apply mixture to WET hair, you can either do this as a pre-poo, or as a conditioner
Cover hair w/plastic cap and allow to sit for 30-40 minutes - You can sit under a dryer, or even a steamer!

Also, for all of you who asked about my scalp massages [mentioned in my previous post] here's the skinny: I use an equal mix of Kesavardhini Oil + Bhringraj Oil + Nagachampa Scalp Oil - These were all purchased at Pioneer Cash & Carry in Artesia Ca [Indian Grocery Store]. I can provide pics & ingredient info when I get back home!

I would massage my scalp three times weekly, once on wash day [after conditioning], then two additional days at my leisure. I used about a quarter size amount of the oil mixture, and concentrated on my scalp only. It is actually good to sit in a chair, laying back as far as you can while performing the massage [this is purported to help increase blood circulation].  

I chose to dance across the stages of the world...


"Still through the sunlight days I wait
Track a ghost through the fog..."

P.s: That last statement is absolutely true.
.Everyday i realise that without music my life would be incomplete.

.At least music makes MY world a better place.

(weheartit, tumblr, fuckyeahstevienicks, tumblr, vi.sualize.us, fanpop, owlsnest.tumblr.com, creativeinspiration.tumblr.com)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Then & Now - Unlock Your Growth Potential

[It isn't a real cig guys..lol just one of those candy puffers]

I came across this picture yesterday, and I could not believe the shape of my hair, it was extremely thin, fragile, and lifeless. I wanted to post this picture as a source of inspiration for others who have this as their starting point, as well as a quick recap of how I managed to go from thin to thick hair. Hopefully this helps others along the way.

 [My hair two months ago]

Cut back on the tight ponytails: Hair that is thinning and fragile should be maintained with low tension hair styles. Tension from tight buns, braids, and ponytails can lead to additional thinning around the hairline as well as the nape area. Breakage can also occur around the area of the ponytail holder as well. Opt for free-flowing styles such as braid outs, twist outs, flexi sets, and even roller sets, until your hair is strong enough to withstand the tension from ponytails and braids.

Go heat free for as long as possible: Hair that is damaged due to unhealthy thermal straightening practices needs to be nursed back to health. Going heat free allows for protein regeneration along the hair shaft, which strengthens the Keratin bonds, thus resulting in stronger hair. Try a series of protein treatments to fortify your tresses during this time. I would recommend doing two protein treatments the first month of your journey, then every 4-6 weeks or as needed. My favorite protein treatments are:
Sebastian 2+1 [2 Parts Moisture, 1 Part Protein]
Dudley's Hair Rebuilder [Great for correcting elasticity issues]
Keracare Super Reconstructor [A heavy duty protein treatment well worth it's weight in gold]
Try an Ayurvedic regimen: I maintained a strict Ayurvedic regimen for about the first 6-8 months of my hair journey, this included scalp massages [helps stimulate scalp, which in turn promotes growth], implementing an ayurvedic pre poo regimen, and also regular henna treatments to strengthen my hair. Most of my Ayurvedic products were all natural herbs and oils that are all purported to help thicken hair, and stop excessive shedding/breakage. My favorite oils are:
Bhringaraj - Nourishes hair and scalp w/essential nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth. I purchase this oil from my local Indian grocer.

Brahmi - Is another favorite of mine, it promotes a nice healthy sheen, strengthens hair, eliminates issues with dandruff, and also nourishes your hair and scalp. I use the Ramtirth brand, which has Coconut Oil as it's base vs Mineral Oil. Ramtirth Brahmi oil is infused with a proprietary blend of 22 Indian herbs. I also purchase this from my local Indian grocer. 

The classic wash & go is made a lot funkier by shaping the models hair, and adding bangs.

If you are on your last leg of your braid out/twist out, plop a hat on and pull out some face framing tendrils or bangs to keep from having to slick your hair back into a pony.

Although this is a wash & go - Flexi rod sets are a nice way to cheat perfect coils if you don't have this curl pattern naturally! [Wendy from Honey Brown Sugar shows you how she created this style here]

 A braid out with a side part is also adds a bit of funkiness to a braid-out. 

Air dry [this works best if your hair is shorter and has some type of shape to it]

Twist-out

Instead of bunning on a bad hair day, pin your hair up [similar to the way you would do an up do] and add a over sized chic headband, bow, or statement piece.

All pics courtesy of Fuckyeahcurlscurlscurls

Monday, June 28, 2010

Cami Waiting for Jacob

Cami waiting for Jacob

Jon and Jeremy

Jon and Jeremy

Jonquil

Jon

Cani loves Jacob

Cami Loves Jacob

I Am Always Doing Things I Can't Do, That's How I Get To Do Them - Pablo Picasso

It's Monday, which means it is time to announce the results of the Ruby Woo Giveaway! Thank you to everyone that entered, I am definitely going to try out some of the recommendations mentioned!  Our winner is; Ms. Princess! Please contact me via the following email address; nikole@themoptopmaven.com, and be sure to include your name and address! - Also will Kimberly [Polyvore name KChapman] please contact me; you are the second runner up for Effervescent Evergreen from our Ododo Originals giveaway.

Is it me or are the weekends never long enough? I braved the crowds and mass traffic jams [due to the BET awards] to get out and do some networking & building with a few colleagues this weekend, so needless to say I got very little sleep. I plan to make up for it in the next few days as this Wed Lo & I leave for Chicago, hopefully I will be able to hit the "reset" button and get some serious R&R.

Last night at around 11PM, I attempted a bantu-knot out that resulted in me wetting my hair and slicking it back in a bun this morning. It was an epic FAIL. Maybe I need to watch a few more videos because clearly I missed the mark. I had somewhat of a frizzy hybrid mullet-shag. No bueno. 

My hair in the first set of pics [with the blue & white jumper] is the same twist out I wore all week, I simply re-twisted it and let it "set" for about an hour. What I love about the Miss Jessie's Buttercreme is how soft it kept my hair, as I didn't moisturize it all week. The second set of pics [with the colorful dress] my hair is a bit different, I wet it thoroughly [didn't shampoo, just wet], and re-twisted it [without adding product], then I untwisted my hair while it was still damp, so it gave it more of a curlier almost wash & go type feel. A word to the wise though when attempting this method; as time progresses, your hair will swell to the size of Texas, so if big hair isn't your thing..then let it dry all the way!

Messing around with the shutter speed & exposure on my camera..

Wearing:
Outfit #1
Blue/White Romper: Vintage [Estate Sale]
Gold Bracelets: Forever 21
Beaded Bracelets: H&M
Yellow Clutch Bag: Vintage

Outfit #2
Dress: "Image" -->Some random boutique @ the Beverly Center
Sheer Blue Tights: Forever 21
Shoes: LF
Yellow Clutch Bag: Vintage
Two Finger Hope Ring: Forever 21
Gold Bracelets: Forever 21
Beaded Bracelets: H&M

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