Tips on caring for colored virgin hair

Hi lovelies!

I know, I know, it's been entirely too long since I've posted. One of my resolutions is to follow through with things a lot better. This blog included.

So, on to the subject at hand. You've colored (or bleached) your virgin Peruvian/Malaysian/Brazilian/Russian/Filipino/Negro hair, and now, you're clinging on to every hope (and product) in the world to keep it from going dry, brittle and straw-like.

Well, to start, if you're gonna bleach your OWN hair (which I highly, HIGHLY advise against), you hqve to make sure that it is at its healthiest. If you're relaxed, girl, STOP, do not pass 'go', do not collect $200, and go straight to a professional.

Now, as for your extensions, remember these key things:

1. Never use developer over 30 volume if its your first time.

2. Stick to more slowly lifting lightening powders such as Clairol's Kaleidocolors, especially if you're attempting to do your entire head in one session.

3. Keep an intense, deep conditioning treatment on hand (like MoroccanOil hair masque or Keratasé) for immediate use after lifting. (In other words, to apologize to the hair)

4. Make sure you use a color-preserving conditioner (Nexxus, Dove, Pantene, or Clairol Shimmer Lights, for example) for regular use after bleaching.

5. Also, a serum, such as Argan Oil, is good for daily (or nightly) use to coat and protect your strands after bleaching.

Limit your heat use, and deep condition every week, and your newly lifted hair will be fabulous and healthy!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,
BF

Save my gel eyeliner!!!

Ever buy a cool gel or cream eyeliner, and because you don't use it everyday, it gets all dried up/crusty/flaky or hardens into a big ball like mine did?

*Underdog voice* Never fear, Beauty Fanatic is here!

DON'T THROW IT AWAY!! Check out my quick video below, and find out how to save some money by rejuvenating your dried up liner!

Join me on Hairlista!

Hello Dolls!

Check out Hairlista and have fun with me participating in the various challenges to motivate you with your hair care regimen!

Currently, I'm participating in a few challenges:

1.) Castor Oil Challenge: I'm doing this at the basic level. Basically, you maintain a regimen of moisturizing your hair, scalp, and problem areas 2x a week (I chose Wednesday and Saturday as my oil days), until the challenge is over, which is October 28th (the challenge started July 28th)

2.) Grow MBL by 2014: I'm super excited about this one. In challenge, everyone basically shares tips, ideas, and products to assist with achieving the goal. One things that I am going to try is adding Mega-Tek to my JBCO and see if that garners any results.

3.) Uneven Hair Challenge: The ultimate goal for this challenge is to grow your hair out from being uneven (long in the back, short on the sides, front, and/or the top), to everything being all one length. The rules of this challenge are:

• Please show starting Pic of your shape
• NO Frequent TRIMS!
• NO HEAT Do low manipulation styles and protective styling.
• No Comb detangling in that section that is shorter. ONLY finger detangling!
• Moisturize and Seal that Section 2x daily.
• Try to Stretch your relaxer longer. That section might be fragile to relaxers and break easily. If you have to relax apply to the problem area last right before rinsing with less smoothing.
• Stay off the back of your head! Driving, sleeping, sitting on sofa's etc.
• Sleep with Satin or Silk Bonnets or Scarfs. Do not let your hair go all over the place at night.

Check out the site, sign up and join me in some of the challenges!

Happy Growing!

"What Makeup?" Natural makeup tutorial and products used

Hey there!

Ok, so as much as I LUHV makeup, sometimes I don't feel like dealing with blendy brushes, shadow bases, and RuPaul's Drag Race-worthy contouring. I just want to be all *southern accent* "bright eyed and bushy-tailed".

Sooo....here is a tutorial of my "Psh, I ain't wearing no makeup *side eye*" look. LOL

Products Used:

Primer - Smashbox Photo Primer (Original)
Foundation - MAC Studio Fix in NC45
Concealer - MAC Studio Finish in NC42
Blush (Contour) - MAC in Blunt
Blush - NYX in Pinky
Powder - Ben Nye Neutral Set
Lip moisturizer - Maybelline NY Baby Lips in mint (this stuff is AWESOME!)
Lip liner - NYX in Coffee
Lip Gloss - Cinema Secrets in color #1 (www.cinemasecrets.com, located in Burbank/Toluca Lake, CA)


Wig:

MissWigs MissoSyn #304 in 4F27

Trials, Struggles and UTTER FRUSTRATIONS of Bohyme Egyptian Wave...

Hello dolls!

So, for the last 7 weeks and 2 installs, I've been wearing Bohyme Egyptian wave in 14" (which, since Bohyme is VERY generous with their length, looks like a 16"). At first, I was in love. The hair was absolutely gorgeous, soft, didn't tangle or mat, blended in with my natural hair beautifully....*SIGH* I was just completely enamored with this hair.

Now? OMG, LET ME TELLLLL YOU GIRRRL....

After the first wash, it still had some "act right". I used L'Oreal Ever Strong Sulfate Free shampoo, and did a deep treatment with Avanti Silicon Mix conditioner, left it on for about an hour or two, cool rinse, then sat under a hooded dryer for about an hour. It was still all good in the hood for this hair. LOL. Well, all that went out of the window after wash #2....

I used Organix Moroccan Argan oil shampoo (which is sulfate-free), Organix Brazilian Keratin conditioner, then another treatment with my Silicon Mix. I sat under the dryer. This time, WTF! It started tangling and matting. I can't brush this hair enough it seems. I've tried all kinds of things. I tried TheWeaveWhisperer's "weave revival" technique (which I'm sure works on better quality hair), I gave it a bleach bath (it started matting and tangling IN THE WATER!!!!!), gave it TWO deep treatments with Silicon Mix and placed it in the microwave for 45 seconds each (after removal of the first install), and let it air dry...nothing. It was definitely softer, and smelled REALLY good, but it was holding on strong to sucky status. I'm at my wit's end with this hair. I'm ready to toss it. I feel like I took $200 and set it on fire. I'm going to give it ONE MORE WEEK, mainly because the braiding pattern and the install I did is BOMB.COM (lol). I may take the hair out and just re-do the sewing portion with some new hair.

SMH. I had such high hopes for this hair, being that the BoBraz gave me a strong 5 months.

<---- In the beginning....

<--- How I feel I look now. SMH

My oil mixture and the benefits of...

Hi dolls!

So, thanks to HairDeLaCreme, I have gotten into mixing my oils in an applicator bottle, to keep my natural hair healthy and growing while it is braided up underneath my 3/4 wig (or U-Part or L-Part wigs), or a sew in. My current mixture is:

2oz. Jamaican Black Castor oil - Rich in Omega-9 fatty acids, this oil promotes hair growth by moisturizing the roots of your hair and your scalp. This is the best oil to promote thickness as well as length.

2oz. Wild Growth oil - (Olive oil, Jojoba oil, Coconut oil & Vitamin D) This oil promises rapid hair growth (which it delivers on!), softening the hair, damage repair, thickening the hair, and more. This oil packs a powerful punch! In a month, you will see a major difference in length and thickness.

1.5oz. Creme of Nature Moroccan Argan Oil treatment (this is NOT pure Argan oil) - This treatment is also good for using as a hot oil treatment by itself. It softens the hair as well as helps the hair retain moisture.

2oz. Aphogee Essential Oils for hair - EXCELLENT for relaxed and natural hair textures, has multi-uses, and is great for sealing ends.

1oz. Dr. Miracle's Relaxed hair potion - the final step in the Dr. Miracle's relaxer system, is also great for braided and natural hair. Its biggest boast is repairing and preventing split ends. I have relied on this potion on its own, outside of my mixture, for keeping my relaxed leaveout healthy, and preventing any heat damage.

Children's hair care: 3C - 4C kids

Hi Everyone!

With the natural hair movement, a lot of mothers (and fathers, *wink*) have been opting to avoid using chemicals in their daughter's hair. While this is an amazing way to keep your little one's hair healthy, it also raises a big question for those of you that are inexperienced with hair care: "What do I do now?"

For a lot of parents of African American children, this is a bit of a conundrum. There are so many products on the shelves that have a lot of claims (moisturizing, promoting manageability, shine, detangling, strengthening, etc), and for someone who is either new to taking care of a little one's hair, or if you are of a different ethnicity from your little one, what should be a simple trip to your local beauty supply can bring about the need for a couple of Excedrin once you're done (or give up).

Below are a couple of photos of Nyah, one of my clients with her hair in its complete natural state, then with a couple of different style options for young natural girls.

<------ Nyah natural

<------ Nyah after Flat ironing with Coconut oil (and some growth)

<----- Some pretty cornrows and a ponytail

<---- Nyah with a GORGEOUS braidout

<-----a better view of the braidout









Tips:

Nyah's hair has grown considerably (as has she!) since I started taking care of it 3 years ago. (note, I started "tex-laxing" her hair once every 12-14 weeks after year 2)

1. The best styles for little girls, as well as adolescent girls, are braids and two-strand twists. They are heat-free styles, that are gentle on the hair (just make sure you don't braid too tightly, as it can cause traction alopecia -- hair loss caused by too much tension), and they give you the luxury to leave your little one's hair alone for a while, and let it grow. 
2. Try to stay away from using excessive heat on her hair, as curlier hair types tend to retain heat, which can cause split ends and breakage. However, when you DO use heat on her hair, always, always, ALWAYS use a heat protectant. I will suggest specific brands on the product list below. If she wants her hair down and out of braids, try a the "braid out" technique. Braid her hair into medium-sized cornrows before bed, and make sure to tie her hair down with a silk or satin scarf, and take the braids down in the morning. The results will be beautiful, more relaxed waves and coils, and you didn't need any heat. 
3. Also, flexi-rods are a great way to add curls without using heat. Also, since flexi-rods are soft and bendable, they will be comfortable for her to sleep on. 
4. Make sure to trim, or have her hair trimmed every 4-6 weeks, 8 weeks if you aren't using any heat at all. This may seem like a lot, but trust me, if her ends are not splitting, her hair will indeed grow, and you will be surprised at how fast it grows!

Products:

Leave-in conditioners:

1. Infusium 23 Leave-in conditioner (an oldie, but still a GREAT conditioner!)
2. Mixed Chicks Leave-in
3. Kinky Curly Knot Today
4. Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in
5. MoraccanOil Argan Oil treatment

Moisturizers:

1. Carol's Daughter Hair Milk
2. Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Oil (any brand, just make sure it is organic and cold pressed)
3. Mizani Supreme Oil
4. Jamaican Black Castor Oil
5. Argan Oil (again! LOL)

Heat Protectants:

1. Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer spray
2. Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Flat Iron Perfector Straightening Mist
3. Mizani Thermasmooth Smooth Guard Smoothing Serum
4. Nexxus Heat Protexx

Any questions on additional products, just leave them below, and I will respond promptly!

Happy Styling!