Michael Kors' Fall Essentials

I am loving Michael Kors, his collection is full of key pieces that allow an outfit to be complete and unique. He is full of ideas that bring out the best in a woman's curves and his style is not over indulgent, he has a subtleness that is classic. Some of his Fall pieces that I thought are essential and worth looking at:

Chalet Boot $425 LLLLLLLLLLLLLPromo Bootie $380LLLLLLLLLLLID Chain Tote $1295

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Animal Jacquard Knit Scarf & L Bit-Temple Sunglasses $235LLLLOversized Frame w/SilverDetail

Fur Ear Muff $40 - $105LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL$225
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Some Changes

Good Morning, just an update on my product list since my little rant yesterday. These products do wonders for my hair, so I will be using them for one month for my no poo trial:

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar
Herbal Essences Conditioners
Unrefined extra virgin coconut oil
Unrefined shea butter with aloe vera gel
Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream
Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream
Qhemet Biologics Tea Tree and Grapeseed Therapeutic Pomade
Curls Milkshake
Aubrey Organics Mandarin Magic Moisturizing Jelly

The Qhemet Biologics Olive Cream Conditioner and Detangler is temporarily discontinued so I'm getting the Burdock Root Butter Cream in its place. I want to see if the Burdock Root or if the Heavy Cream is better for my hair since my texture is fine.
Over the past few days I've been testing the Aubrey Organics Mandarin Magic Moisturizing Jelly which is great. It is a light to medium hold gel that does not flake and holds my edges beautifully. You can re-wet the hair to smooth down your edges again during the day for a fresh look if you need to go somewhere after work or school without reapplying more product, I love it. Personally its better than the IC Fantasia Gel which I have stashed since its cheap and works good but I do notice it flakes on my hair which is another boo ... I usually put some water on the places where it flakes and they disappear for a while so I guess their is a solution to that problem.
Two products that are pending depending if I do mini twists in my hair over a month's time is Aveda Humectant pomade, LOVE IT! And Phyto Specific Integral Hair Care, LOVE IT TOO! They are just great, I can't say enough about these two products. They have natural/organic ingredients but are not up in the 95 % or more natural and organic ingredients region for me to view them as all natural/organic.
Okay so I tweaked my products and I think this should do the trick.

Boo To Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner

My update on my all natural, organic hair product quest is ... well ... not fantastic.
Last night I co washed my hair with Aubrey Organics Conditioner in the shower. When I came out I reapplied the conditioner to my hair after separating it into 5 sections. Section by section I applied a dollop amount, sealed with my coconut oil and tied each section into a tucked puff using ponytail holders, covered with a plastic shower cap and than covered that with my satin scarf and went to bed. I thought this baggy method might do the trick for uber moisturized hair in the morning.
When I woke up I lightly rinsed each section out, my hair did not feel moisturized, it was blah, not really dry and not moisturized, just there. I than applied my moisturizer and than my coconut oil, I used my head band for a cute afro style for work and out the door I went. Now I must admit my hair was still wet when I left for work this morning so I was a little self-conscious of this as drips of water came down to my ears while I rode the bus to work, but I worked it! That was around 9 AM, by noon my hair was still damp, my curls were defined but not popping the way I want them to. I had to re-wet my hair around 2 PM for the fresh-look since my hair was looking dehydrated.
I must admit that when I did this exact same style with my Herbal Essences Conditioners I never had to re-wet my hair in the middle of the day because of moisture lose and my curls popped beautifully. I had moisture packed in my hair for days and it is 3 to 4 bucks a bottle compared to the 13 bucks a bottle for Aubrey that does not work as well ... boo! Did I mention that the bottle is almost finished. I think all of you know where I am heading with this, I'm going to keep using Aubrey Organics until its finished and not repurchase. Too bad I really wanted it to work.
Although my 100 % natural and organic trial will be cut short I am still on the no-poo trial for one month. All is not lost, almost all of my other products are natural, organic and/or vegan. I can't give up my Herbal Essences, it like my crack!

The Balms

I am always on the look out for moisturizers for my lips. I just discovered on10 which boast vintage packaging along with natural and organic ingredients. The scents are heavenly and the consistency of the balms are rich and creamy, just the way I like it. Their products are currently available at Sephora.
If you want to keep it basic try Alba Un-Petroleum Multi-Purpose Jelly, its great with all natural ingredients in a castor seed oil base.


L 2 LLLLLLLLL3 LLLLLLLLLL 4
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

1. on10 Hershey's Lip Balm Ultra Moisturizing Trio SPF 15 3 x 0.5 oz, $16.00

2. on10 Hershey's Almond Lip Balm SPF 15 0.7 oz, $9.00

3. on10 Green Glam Gloss Lip Balm SPF 15 0.38 oz, $9.00

4. Alba Un-Petroleum Multi-Purpose Jelly 100 grams retails for $6.00

A New Routine

The last time I cleansed my hair with shampoo or a cleanser-like-shampoo was about a week and a half ago. Since winter is around the corner I've decided to try the no-poo method (no shampoos used to cleanse hair) . This includes my lovely Abba Pure Gentle Cleanser and my Curls Cleansing Cream. I will rely on my lovely Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, co-washes with Aubrey Organics and plain ole water to keep my hair clean. You may ask why am I trying this out? Well, first I've noticed natural cleansers although gentle still can be a little harsh on my curls, my hair sometimes needs a few days to 'recover' before my curls pop the way I like them to. Second, I want to see if this routine makes a difference in texture and feel of my hair since I've heard so many naturals talk about the no-poo method, and third I am making an effort to use more natural ingredients on my hair and cutting out commercial hair products is a step I am willing to try.
I expect my hair to be hella soft, my curls to be more defined and my hair easier to manage. I am also expecting a lot of growth since I am eating a lot healthier and will start a regular work out soon.
Some of the products and tools I will be using:

Products

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar
Aubrey Organics Conditioners (co-washes and deep treatments)
Unrefined extra virgin coconut oil
Unrefined shea butter with aloe vera gel
Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream
Qhemet Biologics Olive Cream Conditioner and Detangler
Qhemet Biologics Tea Tree and Grapeseed Therapeutic Pomade
Aubrey Organics Mandarin Magic Moisturizing Jelly

Tools

My Hands (detangling, twisting and braiding)
Wide tooth comb (as needed)
Denman Brush (as needed)
Scunci No Damage Elastic Head wraps
Print Scarfs (for work)
My Satin Scarf (for bed)

Well here I go!

Going Organic: Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner

Over the past few months I have been doing a lot of research on organic verses commercial. Now their are benefits to treating your hair with organic products but that is not enough. Plenty of water, fruits and vegetable and exercise help to complete the switch to a healthier lifestyle.

Last night I tried out Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner as a co wash. It cost 12.95 at Noah's in downtown Toronto so I'm pretty sure I was over charged. I co washed and than did an ACV rinse by doing half Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar with half water, shook it in a applicator bottle and than applied it concentrating on my scalp. I than messaged my scalp for a minute and covered with a plastic cap as I finished in the shower. Before I came out I rinsed it out and applied a dollop amount of conditioner in my hands again and messaged into my hair and scalp and rinsed just a bit so I had a little extra conditioning after the ACV rinse.

Well, the all-natural and organic Aubrey did add body and softness to my hair. It felt a little bit different than my regular Herbal Essences co wash. Aubrey did not silken my hair as Herbal Essences does which I like but instead made it more voluminous with softness. It did define my curls and left them fluffy. I do think I need to try this out for a while longer before I give my final verdict but so far so good.

I love the fact that it is ultra creamy and rich in texture and has a pleasant scent. the only draw back is the price. I go through conditioner quickly so we will see!

To Trim or To Dust

When I first went natural I went on a strict hair care routine that included trims every two months. I usually trimmed about half an inch to an inch off and than I started to wonder why my hair was not growing at the rate I wanted it to. Well, of course I knew the answer so I stopped trimming so frequently and started dusting my ends about every week. What is dusting? Its basically when you selectively trim hairs that are split and in the case of curly and kinky hair when it becomes knotted. this has really helped me to retain my length in my second year of growth. Now I trim every four months sparingly (about half an inch).

Dusting
I go through my hair randomly feeling my ends and when I feel a knot or see a split end I trim it. I do this usually at bed time after my shower when my hair is slightly damp. I than add in my moisturizer and coconut oil to seal my ends, wrap my hair with my satin scarf and off to bed.

Trimming
This is a little more complicated. My hair is parted and braided or twisted neatly into about 40 to 45 sections. I than trim my ends. After doing each section I may unravel the ends of the braid or twist to check if their are any hairs that I missed and trim them, than re-braid or re-twist the ends. I than follow with my moisturizer, usually Qhemet Biologics Heavy Cream and seal with a light coat of coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil. I than tie my hair with my satin scarf and off to bed.

I like dusting and trimming my hair before bed, I think it is out of habit. When I wake up though my hair is well moisturized and my ends are supple because the moisturizer and oil has time to penetrate my hair.

Nappy Anniversary

My two year Nappy Anniversary is this month and boy has my hair flourished. I will be posting pictures soon. I consider my hair 3c/4a type with most of my lose curls in the back with kinkier hair on my sides and in the middle. the top of my head is lush and thick with dense 4a curls. I'm loving Qhemet Biologics Amla & Olive Heavy Cream for winter months and the Olive Cream Conditioner and Detangler. I'm going to try the Tea Tree & Grapeseed Therapeutic Pomade for my dermatitis because the winter months can bring havoc to my scalp. I'll let you know the results for sure.

Lately though, I have been using Curls Milkshake and coconut oil for styling and my Herbal Essences conditions for co washes and my hair is really loving this combo. The Herbal Essences conditioner that I am in love with is from the old packaging. It's called Replenishing Conditioner for coloured/permed/dry/damaged hair with rose hips, vitamin E and jojoba. I use it for everything (night treatments with coconut oil and co washes). If you live in the Toronto area Walmart has a great promotion with Herbal Essences. If you purchase one of the old packaged 355 ml or 400 ml shampoos or conditioners you get a complimentary new packaged 300 ml shampoo or conditioner for free! Check it out because I'm stocking up and trying some of the new conditioners from Herbal Essences.

On Vacation

Hi Fashionista's,

I'll be on vacation until September 15th when I'll be bringing you fresh news, stay tuned ... Thanks for all the support, y'all know who you are!

My Scalp Tonic

I have mentioned my scalp tonic quite a few times so I thought it would be proper to share my recipe with all of you. It's pretty simple, here it goes:

In a 8OZ spray bottle fill the bottle up half way with water.
Add about 60 drops of vegetable glycerin (I use the NOW brand which has a flip nozzle that will drip), if not measure about 2 or 3 TBSPS
Add 60 drops rosemary essential oil
Add 60 drops peppermint essential oil
1 TBSP vitamin E oil (32 000 I.U.)
2 TBSPS FOTE aloe vera gel

I know my recipe seems strong with the essential oils but it works for me. I have mild Seborrheic Dermatitis of the scalp and this has eliminated the need to use the steroid cream my doctor prescribed to me, the more natural, the better!
Fill the bottle up with water a little more, make sure you have enough room in the bottle to shake everything together, and voila!
You can also whisk this together in a bowl and pour it in to your bottle. Make sure you shake well before every use.