Relaxer Update

To relax my hair my stylist used the ORS Range of products, the ORS lye relaxer in Regular/normal strength, ORS Neutralizing shampoo and the ORS replenishing conditioner. 

                    

                      

My hair was relaxed using the 4 section method,  I detailed in my previous relaxer post. My relaxer is usually is relaxed  this way when I have my hair done by this stylist. I tend to get some lightening around the front of my hair, during the summer months. This time I opted to have the front of my hair coloured with a dark chocolate brown, semi permanent water based colour. After the colour was applied I sat under the dryer for 15 minutes and then my stylist rinsed the colour out of my hair, then shampooed using the Motions Lavish Conditioning Shampoo. Next I was back under the dryer for 20 minutes with the ORS Replenishing conditioner. After the dryer went off, My stylist rinsed out the conditioner, patted my hair dry, then applied some ORS hair lotion and Motions Wrap/Set lotion. I had a trim and then a roller set. My hair had a bit of texture to it, but my hair has never come out bone straight from a relaxer process, so that did not phase me. I did not burn, which is great. 

Hair Stats
Currently 2.5 weeks post relaxer
Current length: Line #2 on my length check t shirt**
Last Relaxer:  September 6th 2013
Next Relaxer: October 26th 2013
Short Term Goal: line #3 on my Length check T-shirt by June 2013
Long Term Goal: Bra Strap Length by December 2013
Wish List: Phillip Kingsley Elasticizer, Grapseed Oil
Recent buys: None 

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Wilko Tudor Face Cloths

With the  surging interest in cleansing balms at the moment,  the flannel is enjoying some time in the limelight. As the chosen alternative to the various cleaning cloths on the market, there has been a lot of hype  around the primark flannels. These are sold in mini bales of 3 for the price of £1.50. This is not at all a bad price for the flannel offering. However I have found another bargain to top that one, the Wilko 100% cotton Tudor 450 Face cloths. 

These retail at 33p each, which works out to 3 flannel for 99p, plus if you are lucky you might even be able to grab them when they are on offer 3 for 2 (buy 3 but only pay for 2). Who doesn't like  bargain? At £1.32 for 6 flannels, this is a deal everyone should try. They are pretty thick, soft and not at all scratchy. There are 4 colours to choose from, these are white, pink, green and blue. They are all just in one tub at Wilkinsons so  if you choose the white ones,  like I did. the flannels might have some pink or blue fluff, but once washed those will come right out. 

These can be used with any cleanser of your choice, remember not to rub you harshly on your skin, light gentle strokes.

At £32 a pop - cough cough  Emma you could give us at least 1 cleansing cloth, 
with purchase. *i'm jussssssssssssst saying*

There you go my lovelies,
 a great bargain to be had at your local Wilkinsons.
peace and light
xx

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Editors' Essentials

Sometimes it's hard to look immaculate all the time, even when you love beauty products/ cosmetics as much as I do. These are the hero products which keep me looking fabulous and fresh all day long. 

 

7am - Zara White edt 30ml I spritz  this on in the morning and as a lil pick me up throughout the day. At one point I would only purchase 100ml sized fragrances, but now I hardly ever. 30ml is the perfect sized fragrance for me. Small enough to carry around in my hand bag/travel with and enough product for me to figure out if it warrants repurchase. 



10am - Jergens Ultra Healing Hand cream keeps the skin on my hands moisturized and supple. I love hand creams, larger ones like these (5oml and up) I keep on my desk at work/in my hand bag. In the evenings when I go out for a meal or drinks, I will slip one of my L'Occitane Shea Butter (30ml) hand creams into my clutch. 

12pm - MAC Lip Gelee reapplied to  my lips after the 2 cups of tea I have had. I love lip products, this one in particular because it moisturizes  gives a hint of colour and I also get a bang for my buck product wise.  

2pm- MAC Blot powder after the glow sets in, this blot powder helps to soak up the excess sebum which sets in on my oily skin after a while. This product is great after hours as well, it keeps me looking together if I have any errands to run after work. 

5pm - Avene Thermal water misted all over my face & neck, cools me down for the walk home after work. 


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what are your essentials lovelies?

comment below and let me know.  

The 8 Skincare Secrets You Need To Know Now

     The health guru Dr Perricone sat down to discuss his "beauty from the inside out" philosophy, one that relies on nurturing your body by making the best life decisions possible - not on pricey skincare products.

1. You're using too many products. - "Your concern is to find the right thing that works for you. And that's simple. Cleanse, maybe apply something in the morning, moisturizer over that and then your sunscreen. Most people lay on around 10 or 20 different products. It doesn't make sense to me."

2. You're making poor lifestyle choices. - "Excessive exposure to sun, not getting enough sleep and, of course, being overly stressed out are the biggies. A lot of this is common sense, but obviously stress is something we have to learn to deal with. I like meditation. That makes a difference. It lowers stress hormones. Low stress hormones mean your skin stays young, high stress hormones mean you get wrinkled real fast."

3. You're not drinking enough water. - "Drink eight glasses of water a day. People hate water for some reason. See, the problem is that our first mechanism doesn’t work until we are about two or three percent dehydrated. When you're dehydrated, the cells aren't working right because all the biochemical reactions take place in the presence of water. We're now just discovering that water is much more interesting than we thought it was. It does much more than act as a solvent - it actually forms a uniform layer inside the cells that aid in energy production. So there are some people that are saying that, with energy production, the cells can repair themselves better."

4. You're relying on harsh exfoliating brushes. - "I don't believe in mechanical exfoliation because it irritates the skin and actually causes inflammation."

5. You're not eating the right foods. - "You want to make sure that you have a green salad every day. That’s very important. Green salads contain incredible nutrients, antioxidants and also increase nitric oxide in your blood. And nitric oxide is what gives you a beautiful healthy glow. The magic combination is a piece of salmon and a green salad. Because salmon also contains something that increases nitric oxide as well as antioxidants. So if you eat salmon three days in a row, you have such a radiance, when you walk into a room people go, 'Wow.'"

6. Specifically, your diet's "color IQ" is too low. -"The more colors you have in your diet a day, the more kind of phytonutrients you're getting, because each color is something specific. So blueberries are very specific for brains and skin, and citrus fruits are really good for the ears. And astaxanthin is really good for eyes and skin. So it's important to get all those different colors in during the day - I call it your color IQ. So ask yourself how high can your color IQ be today? If you know you had 10 different colors in your fruits and vegetables, you're doing well."

7. You're using Botox as a quick fix. - "Botox is a neurotoxin - it paralyzes muscles by interfering with the nerve impulse. When the muscles are not getting innervated by the nerves, they atrophy. The way we look young is to have plenty of muscle and plenty of fat in our face. So why would you want to atrophy your muscles? I think it’s a bad strategy."

8. You're wearing too much makeup. - "If you're not taking care of yourself and you're not getting enough sleep and you're eating poorly, then you probably want to slather on something to hide the mistakes. But the thing is, if you're doing the right thing, then you really want to tone down the makeup. In the end, vanity is really a good thing, because if you are worried about your appearance, then you are really motivated to eat correctly, maintain a good body weight, exercise and get enough sleep. Vanity is a good thing, it motivates us." 

The 8 Skincare Secrets You Need To Know Now according to Dr. Perricone told to Rebecca Adams for the Huffington Post. 

     A healthy diet and exercise routine will do great wonders for your skin and hair as well as your overall body health, my lovelies. Exercise does not have to be a grand production. It can be as simple as going for a walk or a job three times a week. There are loads of exercise videos on you tube with quick fun work outs you could try. Exercise challenges on instagram such as the 60 days of fitness with Rapper The Game. Try your local leisure center for the gym and swimming. If you are going to university, join a sports team like I did ---> Womens Lacrosse 1st team.

      Whenever I am asked the secret to my healthy hair, I always say Cod Liver Oil and water. I drink on average a  liter of water each day minimum, 2 Cod Liver oil capsules and I advocate the same to all my friends. I have my trusty Brita Filter bottle that goes every where with me. Skincare products work well but they can only work in conjunction with what is already going on inside your body.  "Anything that is going on in your gut manifests itself in your face" - Caroline Hirons. This is a theory which I truly believe in, because I have seen it for myself with my own skin. Eliminating processed foods like soda and crisps from my diet, along with cows milk has made such a big change in my skin, in relation to acne flair ups. Beauty is not just about makeup and cosmetics  it is also about working out, jogging, a healthy diet and overall health.  

For the love of humanity STOP USING APRICOT SCRUBS ON YOUR FACE, they are too harsh. Wear sunblock and EAT breakfast!!

Have a great day my lovelies.

xx

Haul

These are just a  few things I have picked up over the last week.

Burberry Body Eau de parfum 35ml - I have been stalking this for 2 months, it finally went down to half price so I snatched it up. I am currently debating whether to purchase the edt or not. £22.50 reduced from £45.

Garnier Minerals Clean Sensation antiperspirant (x5) - I bought 5 at once. They should last me til about January and then I will stock up again. £1 reduced from £2.30.

Vaseline Compressed antiperspirant deodorant (active fresh and aloe sensitive) - These are for my handbag, travelling/vacation and they are small enough to fit in my Longchamp pouchette. £1 reduced form £1.89.

Cuticura Passion Flower and Mango Anti Bacetrial Hand gel 

Wet Ones Be Zingy Anti Bacterial Hand wipes (x5) - These wipes were 54p,  usually £1.15p in Boots/Superdrug where I usually buy them. I bought all that I could find in the store. #don'tjudgeme

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipglosses -  Fatal apple and Berry allure. My aunt bought me these on Tuesday (3rd Sept,13). 2 for £10, so they were £5 each. 

Sometimes the only things, you need to shop for are the everyday essentials.

Have a great day my lovelies.

xx

What to Wear to Work - Black and White

Sorry for the blurry pic my lovelies. 

This is just a quick outfit of the day post showing what I wore today. Staying true to my love of separates I paired a white cotton button down with a black tulip skirt. 

Shirt - T. M. Lewin white poplin shirt

Skirt - Zara Tulip skirt circa 2010 

Shoes - Dune Sanctuary Court shoes

Bag - Zara Braided shopper , 
this is the perfect carry all for when I am away from my desk. 
 xx

My travel Makeup/Skincare/Bodycare UK August Bank holiday

You already know about my disastrous experience at Notting Hill Carnival. What you do not know is, before I went to London, I had to attend my Godsons christening. Which meant I had to do a bit of cross country travelling, therefore I had to break out my travel goodies. 

Body - Garnier Minerals Clean Sensation anti antiperspirant, Nivea Pearl Beauty gentle care antiperspirant, L'occitane Plum Blossom skin moisture gel (travel size), Marks and Spencers Coconut hand and body lotion (decanted into a travel sized bottle), The Body Shop Shea Butter Shower cream (travel size), Burberry Body Eau de Parfum, Elizabeth Arden Red door Revealed Eau de Parfum. 

Face - Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural lift and Sculpt Morninga Cleansing Balm (sample size), Origins Modern Friction (sample size), Clarins Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Lotion (sample size)

Hair - Organics Olive Oil Hair Polish Finishing Mist

Makeup - MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Deep dark, MAC Blot Powder, Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara (travel size), Clinique High Impact Mascara (travel size), The Body Shop Super volume Mascara (travel size), 

Stuff - Cuticura Passion Flower and Mango antibacterial gel (decanted into my purell 60ml pump bottle), Wet Ones anti bacterial wipes, Avene Eau de thermal spray.

See you next time lovelies.

xx

Notting Hill Carnival 2013 - Burokeets Carnival Band

If you follow my blog /twitter you will occasionally see my tweets/posts relating to carnival here and there. Carnival began as a way for the freed slaves to celebrate emancipation. It has evolved over the years from just a parade with costumes made from rags, into a showcase of splendor and creativity with bejeweled costumes, elaborate head pieces and makeup. For carnival activities I participate in the masquerade (aka mas) with my family and friends.  I have been playing mas for about 10 years, prior that I participated in the carnival by playing the steel pan. Carnival is the time of year where my friends and I can just relax, enjoy ourselves, and most of the time mas is fun.

That is not to say that there have not been some bumps along the road. In the last 10 years my questionable mas experiences include:

• Receiving 2 costumes from a mas band by mistake and NONE of them fit. I had to go the mas camp on the actual carnival day and have a costume made from scratch. 
• Costume falling apart at the mas camp, and not being offered any help to fix it.
• Last minute distribution of costumes. This was a recurring theme every year with one particular band.

Though I might have had poor experiences. There was always something to counteract the bad. If the costumes were delivered late, I could say well when I was on the road, I received lots of food and drink." Also I could think back to other years when things were better and move past the hiccup. Because I have experienced the GREAT side of mas, I always feel really bad for first time masqueraders, when I have a poor experience. 

My family has had a lot of things to deal with this year. We decided that as a form of stress relief we would participate as masqueraders during the Notting Hill Carnival with Burrokeets UK mas band. Notting Hill Carnival with Burrokeets UK was definitely without a doubt the worst mas experience ever. In business I think a company should do one of 2 things either maintain a standard or exceed the current standard. As a band with 23 years experience, we expected a certain level of service from Burrokeets UK.  Several things annoyed me about this mas experience. 

Communication - the communication in relation to costume distribution was extremely poor. Sending me a message at 4pm on Saturday informing me that costume distribution would commence from 12pm - 8pm on the SAME day is poor business practice. Then to send another message at 7pm to say that due to circumstances beyond your control costumes cannot be picked up on said Saturday, is just ridiculous.

 **please note that by the time the 7pm message came through, my group had left Notting Hill and arrived at the costume distribution point in Tottenham. Which is NOT  short distance, by any means**

The costumes were all the wrong sizes, and communication as to how the issue would be rectified was none existent. At one point the lady in charge was not responding to messages or answering phone calls. There was no solution offered as to how the costume situation would be rectified. 

The bartenders - I do not know if the persons on the drinks trucks were getting paid or they were volunteering, but they were hardly serving. What they did do was talk to random people in the crowd and it took ages to get drinks. 

The food - now this is the be all, the end all and the wrap up of it all. The food Burrokeets UK served was spoiled. 23 years of experience and you serve spoiled food? There were 5 people in my group, who I played mas with and every dish of food was SPOILED. To add to that the entire band had spoiled food, there was no alternative. My group had the chicken meal, however the vegetarian meal was spoiled too.

It was a mess based on this experience if I was a first time mas player I would not play mas again. It was just a mess. The only positive is that my costume looked nice on the day. 

Costume - "When the sun shines like jewels"