*Giveaway* (closed)

It's really hard for me to admit this...but I too am exploring the "Miss Jessie's bandwagon". You guys are all probably familiar with the company that promises "The Best Darn Curl Cremes. Period." I told myself that I would not get caught up in any more bandwagons. Especially ones which leaves my pockets looking slightly non-existent. Although I'm starting to really like some of their products, it is definitely safe to say that there are some very less expensive and probably better alternatives/dupes for some of their staples. But curiosity got the best of me and while I was in Target I decided to pick up two products from the line.

Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue and Miss Jessie's Baby Butter Creme.

I'll definitely be giving full reviews on each product very soon. But before then, I wanted to treat a lucky subscriber with a chance to win a choice of TWO (2) products from Miss Jessie's to try. What's better than a chance to win FREE PRODUCTS which you normally refuse to pay over $40 for?

Entering is EASY! Here's the Rules:

1.There will be one (1) winner

2. Visit www.missjessies.com/shop. And pick two products that you would like to try. (not including shirts, gift certificates or gift packs) The winner will receive two (2) products of their choice from the Miss Jessie's line.

3. This giveaway is for my followers, So make sure that you follow this blog (over on the right hand sidebar.)

4. In the comment section for this post ,comment letting me know which two products you would like to try or that you already love.

5. Make sure to include your e-mail address so I can contact the winner.

6. Only one entry per person.

7. The winner will be randomly selected using Random.org

8. You must be 18 years of age or have your parent's permission

9. This is open to followers Internationally

10. The Giveaway starts today, November 18, 2011 to November 25, 2011 (that's one week!)

11. TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

I hope you ALL decide to enter, and good luck to everyone!

Face it!!

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A great alternative to buying high end products that are showering the beauty market, is to use simple ingredients that you can find in your local grocery store and even your kitchen cabinets.

Of course this philosophy is not just restricted to your hair. Using more natural ingredients in your over all health/beauty routine will be kind to your body as well as your pockets.

Recently my face has been less than lack luster. I've had a bunch of acne flare ups, some color distortion from acne scaring and incredibly dry and flaky skin. I can blame this on two things.

1. My sampling of commercial face products for a fall/winter regimen.

2. The beating my face has taken from the recent cold weather.

I wanted to share with you some simple recipes that can replace those expensive face products and also give your face a healthier and more radiant glow.

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Cleansing:

Oil cleansing is a gentle and affordable way to remove dirt, bacteria, make-up and dead skin cells from your face daily. Because most of us already have oils in our arsenal it's much more convenient than buying a separate facial cleanser. By using oil to cleanse your face you are also eliminating the abrasive properties of sulfates and other ingredients within certain cleansers.

The great thing about oil cleansing is you can literally use which ever type of oil is more convenient to you. It's all about mixing and experimenting.

In my personal oil cleansing mix I use:

A small bottle of any type

50% Castor oil (helps draw out toxins and dead skin cells from skin)

25% Grapeseed oil (acts as a natural moisturizer and helps prevent acne)

25: Extra Virgin Olive oil ( also acts as a natural moisturizer)

6 drops of Lemon essential oil (helps with brightness in complexion)

3 drops of Tee Tree essential oil (helps combat dry skin and works as an anti-fungal ingredient)

1. Gently message a quarter size amount of the mixture all over face.

2. Place a hot, damp towel over your face until it cools. (allows the oils to penetrate your skin and steam out all toxins and dirt.)

3. remove hand towel and wipe away any excess oil off.

4. rinse your face with cold water to close the pores.

Toneing:

Toners are used to keep your skin tone even and bright. It is also used as a defense against acne and dry skin.

My Toner recipe:

A new/clean spray bottle

60% Chamomile Tea (used against flare ups, redness and therapeutic/calming properties)

20% Apple Cider Vinegar ( cleansing properties and ph balance)

20%:Aloe Vera Juice (acts as a moisturizer and ph balance)

6 drops of Lemon essential oil/ or juice (helps with consistent brightness in complexion )

1. With your spray bottle a tleast 8 inches from your face spray in a "X" and then "T" formation over your face.

2. Allow the mist to dry on your face before moving on to moisturizing.

(A lot of people also use witch hazel instead of Apple Cider Vinegar in their recipes. Feel free to use your own variation on the recipe.)

Moisturizing:

The price of moisturizers on the market these days can be out of control (especially for the amount you receive).Using a dime size amount of either hazelnut, jojoba or grapeseed oil will be more than sufficient when it comes to a daily moisturize. Even for those with oily skin the lightness of each of these oils allows for the skin to absorb it easy and fast without the oily/ greasy feeling it can leave on your face.

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Hopefully with a little tweaking to fit your personal needs, you'll be able to fit these cost-effective and healthier alternatives into your skin-care regimen.

GPOY

Things will be a little less hectic at the end of the week. See you guys then =D

Stylin': The "PS"

I think I told you guys in the post about the Curl Harmony Deep Conditioner that my hair has been feeling quite shabby as of late. A part of the reason is probably because this has been the longest time my hair had been without a long term protective style. Prior to this summer I KEPT my hair under wraps, all the time. I can definitely say that has been a major help when it comes to length retention and over-all good health of my hair. So now that it's getting cold again I needed to begin my PS once again. On Saturday night I decided to go to my go-to-easy PS. Some crochet type braids.

This is not your old school type crochet braids, where you had over 1000 micro braids on your head (yea...I rocked them hard in middle school!) Instead of using braided hair you can use a curly type bulk weave or Marley braiding hair like I did. This would be the third time I've done this style since I've been natural and I think I like this go around the best. This was the first time I've used marley hair. I was kinda nervous on how this was going to work, but I think it turned out well. I used 3 packs of 1B/30 hair. This brown/blond mix is giving me LIFE!

I actually feel like Mufasa with all of this hair but in the best way possible! The only problem I have is when I decide to wear a part it's pretty obvious that it's crocheted. Lucky for me I'm not trying to convince anyone that it's anything other than that...and you can only really tell if you're looking directly down on top of my head. I'm almost 6 foot tall so not many people will be getting that view!

All in all it's cool and I plan on keeping them in for at least 3 weeks. I'll be seeing how many styles I can pull off, and of course I'll share them with you =D

Check out MissGlamourGirl11992's video on how to actually do the style. She makes it look SO easy and trust me IT IS! She uses curly bulk hair but the application is the same if you decide to use the Marley hair.

Feeling Moody

(Source)

No it's not completely hair related but I saw these photos and had to share! Talk about FIRECE! If you're wondering where you can cop your own knitted creation check out Feeling Moody. The designer/creator, Sarita Moody, is a fellow natural and blogger as well. Check her out HERE. Me personally? I'm just trying to get my own scarf and have a fly photo shoot as well!

In not-so-perfect harmony

A year ago I won a contest where the prize was a deep conditioning treatment from the brand Curl Harmony. At the time I had just big chopped about a week before I won and I had just started my “Product Junkie” phase. Needless to say I bought so many other products to try I forgot that I even owned this deep conditioner. I tried it maybe twice around the time I received it, but not enough to determine whether it was worth it’s wild. So last night I decided to give it a try.

Curl Harmony Intensive Repair Deep Conditioner:

Curl Harmony Intense Repair is a luxurious deep treatment that strengthens and moisturizes. Essential for curls damaged by heat styling and/or relaxers. Enriched with healing Shea Butter, Coconut Butter and smoothing Jojoba oil. Perfect for reviving damaged, dull or dry hair. For all hair types

Ingredients: Aqua , Behentrimonium MethosulphateCetearyl Alcohol,ﾠCocos Nucifera (Coconut Butter), Butyrospermum parkii (Shea Butter), Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Hydrolysed Corn and Wheat protein, Cetyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Glycerine, DL-Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Silk Amino Acid Powder, Lactic Acid

The consistency is what my hair loves. Because my hair is so thick, it needs a very thick conditioner to coat the strands. Not to mention a little goes a long way. The ingredients aren’t that bad either. A lot of good stuff like jojoba oil, shea butter and coconut butter are inside. Because it claims to help with damaged hair I thought it would be a good idea to try because my hair has been feeling very dry and almost brittle lately (signs that I need a trim and a good protein treatment in the near future).

I used it on some chunky twist and put on a plastic shower cap. The directions say to leave it on for 20 to 30 min but I chose to leave it on overnight.

In the morning I rinsed the conditioner out of my hair and my hair felt…well….real regular. I’ve made deep conditioners myself that gave my hair much more softness and moisture. When I rinsed this DC out It felt exactly like it would if I had just rinsed out a shampoo. Not like I just rinsed out a conditioner.

Maybe next time I’ll incorporate honey, aloe vera juice and some oils to enhance it, but as of right now I won’t be picking this item up, personally. Which isn’t a big deal since the company is based in England and currency conversion and shipping would bring the price of this product WAY over my budget.

What deep conditioners have you tried and loved....or not loved very much?

This Week's LUUUUST!

This week's lust was inspired by not only the beautiful head of hair these ladies rock but the super fly style they all have. Beauty and Fashion....what a beautiful duo...

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