Curves Curls & Style

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

The Original Viva Glam

Viva Glam The Original

It's back!! The original Viva Glam lipstick. Before Nikki, before RiRi there was RuPaul. It all started with RuPaul back in 1994 with the release of this amazing color. MAC has re-released this gorgeous beauty for us all to experience. In my opinion this color is a beautiful deep brick red burgundy with burnt orange undertones. This is a matte lipstick so expect it to have the staying power of a stain once applied. Although it is matte it applies very smooth and is not drying to the lips. The Original Viva Glam retails for $15 and can be purchased at any MAC store or major department store that carries MAC Cosmetics. This would be a great addition to your fave fall lipsticks!

Photo courtesy of MAC.com

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Fall Faves....Lipstick!

Time to ditch the vibrant corals and pinks of summer! Fall is on the horizon and that means gorgeous deep plums, purples and reds. Lipstick has to be one of my favorite things about fall. What else can take your look from boring to POW in one swatch...LIPSTICK!! Whether you want to wear a subtle nude lipstick to compliment a bold eye look or a deep vampy burgundy to play up a neutral face you are sure to find tons of fall shades to compliment either look. From high end to drug store I am overwhelmed with all the new releases for Fall 2013. The possibilities are endless. What colors are you excited to rock for fall?

With flash

Without Flash - True Color

Back to School....Natural Hair

Flat Twist & Two Strand Twist

During the school year we're all about simple, easy and long lasting hairstyles. For us, combing hair every morning is not realistic. We just don't have the time. My perfect solution is a combination of flat twist and two strand twist. Usually I can get 2-3 weeks out of this style before having to re-do. It really depends on how active J is and if we follow our nightly routine of a satin scarf, satin bonnet and satin pillow case. I do lightly mist her hair with water (very lightly) and lightly moisturize her hair with Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Moisturizer as needed. Typically every 3-4 days or so but again only as needed. J likes to wear her twist down but sometimes I will put the twist in a cute side ponytail with a bow or even two ponytails. I do use rubber bands to secure the end of the flat twist however I do not attempt to take them out by hand. I always carefully cut rubber bands to remove them. Rubber bands are notorious for causing excessive breakage and pulling of hair.

TIP: Worried about rubber bands causing breakage and pulling hair? Dip rubber bands in olive oil before using to reduce breaking, pulling and snagging.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Fall Faves....Nails!

Vampy, Sultry, Mysterious...Nail Polish can be all of those things!

I can't say enough about fall. It's my favorite season! The fresh crisp breeze, crunchy colorful leaves, pumpkins, apples and cider....I'm excited! One of the things that excite me most about fall is the change over from the bright pinks and coral nail polishes to the vampy and sultry deep blues, plums and purples. Nail polish probably doesn't excite the average person the way it excites me but I'm ok with that.

Whatever your mood I'm sure you will find a color to suit it. These are my picks for fall nail polishes.

Stay tuned for my fall faves....Lipstick!!

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Natural Hair: Summer Styles for Kids

The perfect protective style!

The Mohawk

Products we use:

Shampoo: Shea Moisture - Purchased at Target

Conditioner: Giovanni Direct Leave-In - Purchased at Target

Moisturizer & Styler: Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer - Purchased online at beemineproducts.com

Edges: Curls Control Paste - Purchased at Target

The Process:

Hair is washed with Shea Moisture Shampoo

Conditioned with Giovanni Direct Leave-In

Natural Oil is added (grapeseed or coconut oil)

Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer is added

Hair is blown dry (Unless I wash J's hair at home and band/air dry overnight)

Once style is determined her beautician/braider will then section hair into small sections and begin braiding

How long does the style last:

I typically do not go past 3 weeks. I find keeping braids longer than that causes extra tangles and breakage plus by this point J's hair is fuzzy and no longer looks fresh. I tend to be very particular about the appearance of my daughter's hair.

What we do at night:

Always, always and always use a satin scarf or bonnet in conjunction with a satin pillow case just in case the scarf/bonnet should come off during the night.

Never, never, never use a cotton scarf or sleep on a cotton pillow case. Cotton scarfs, bonnets and pillow cases sucks the moisture right out of the hair in addition to causing unnecessary dryness, brittleness and breakage. Taking the time to wash, deep condition, condition and moisturize and then sleeping with or on cotton material defeats the purpose. Natural/healthy hair is delicate and requires a lot of patience. It's not the easy route. If you go into this thinking it's a get up and go type of situation you should RUN, not walk, to your nearest beauty supply store/salon and get a relaxer. Having relaxed hair (in MY opinion) is easier to maintain. However, having natural hair is far more rewarding, freeing and versatile. It's all about preference!

The take down:

I mist J's hair with water, add your oils of choice, add a cheap conditioner of choice and start from the bottom of the braid unraveling until the braid is completely removed. I then finger comb the section of hair that I just took down to remove the shed hair. The moisture from the water and oil and the "slip" from the conditioner makes this process easy as pie.

F.Y.I. This is what works for us and may not be ideal for everyone

PSA: I AM NOT A LICENSED BEAUTICIAN in any way shape or form......please do your own research as I have and find what works for you and your daughter's hair.