How-To: Natural Whipped Butter

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Enjoy making your own products? Check out this great tutorial and start making your own body and hair butters.

December: It’s Party Time!

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December is one of my favourite month, it’s the end of the year so this is an opportunity to look at what you have achieved the whole year, learn from your mistakes and start fresh.

But it’s also the opportunity to spend time with your family, friends, dress up & partayyy! Talking about dressing up, if you are still looking for ideas then you need to scroll down as you will be sure to find the perfect outfit for any event!

 

club-l-chiffon-maxi-dress

dressgold-foil-rib-open-back-midi-dress

michael-kors-v-neck-body-con-dress

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slinky-drape-back-ruched-body-dress

wrap-strappy-haltherneck-slink-dress

90s-neck-split-hem-velvet-dress

maiocci-short-dress

 

 

 

Am I Pretty?

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Slim waist, big bum, thick tights, big breast… How many times have I heard these words. Do these characteristics define beauty? What happens when you don’t meet these standards of beauty?  Surgery? Fake bums and boobs?

Our society (meaning WE) puts too much emphasis on physical appearance. We’re so quick to use easy fixes without taking into account the consequences. We’re so into the “now” rather than the long term. Look at our relationships… this is another subject for another day.
Self love

On one hand, you have some thick girls wanting to lose weight by any means necessary; some dark skin girls wanting a lighter skin tone using skin bleaching creams. On the other hand, you have slim girls craving for butt implants.

This is our duty as women to teach our sisters/daughters to learn how to embrace themselves. You don’t have to look like Barbie to be beautiful.

Your thoughts?

Say No To Dry Skin

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Hi beauties,

For those living in the UK, you already know that the weather can be quite disrespectful. Bare changes! 10am: rain, 10.05am: hail, 11am: 20°C…Ok, I might be exaggerating (a little) but you know what I mean. All these changes can have an impact on your skin making it extremely dry…crocodile skin style :(. Ladies not to worry, if you incorporate these few steps in your daily routine you will be just fine :-).

winter

  • Lukewarm showers/bath: as nice as hot showers are, using hot water removes natural oils from your skin. The more oils are  removed, the drier your skin becomes.
  • Moisture: apply a moisturiser adapted to your skin (i.e. dry skin, oily skin).
  • Drink…Water: a lot of it!
  • Exfoliate: this will help remove dead skin that can clog pores and prevent your skin to breath.
  • Warm clothes: Obviously.

 

What are your top tips to get a clear and glowing skin during winter?

Photo Source: Pinterest

When They Try To Tell You That You Can’t

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Natural Hair Ban

Since when cornrows are distracting? Thanks to student’s parents, the school decided to lift the ban.

“When necessary, we will provide guidance to our schools to ensure their policies are not obtrusive, do not conflict with Board policy and most importantly do not infringe on the many cultures embraced across our school district.”

 

 

 

Your Hair Is What You Eat

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“You are what you eat.” Heard this before? Well I could not agree more with this quote. Paying attention to what you eat is really important and I am not referring to dieting. Not only it affects your hair, skin, nails but it also has an impact on your hormones for instance (hormones imbalance). Have you ever noticed how your skin reacts to certain ingredients/aliments? Well the same thing happens to your hair, even if you cannot spot it as quickly. Luckily, some vitamins can help maintain healthy hair and achieve these hair goals you always wanted.

Ready to take the route to healthy hair? Check out these super vitamins.

Vitamin-A

B Vitamins: Folic acid (Folate), B6, B12

These vitamins carry oxygen and nutrients to all body cells, including hair. These vitamins help prevent shedding and hair loss. Foods high in folic acid includes: lentils, oats, green peas, okra, parsnips, broccoli, as well as fruits (e.g. oranges, papaya, blackberries, and strawberries).

Other vitamins great for hair health are Vitamin B6 and B12 which you will find in chickpeas, salmon, bananas, pistachio nuts, tomato paste, barley, peppers, peanuts, watermelon, avocadoes and so on.

You will find Vitamin B12 in food such as tuna, lean beef, cottage cheese, yogurt, milk eggs and cheese.

Vitamin C

Vitamin CV is also essential for hair growth, as it carries oxygen to your hair and support the creation of collagen. A lack of Vitamin C can cause hair loss, dryness and breakage.

You can find Vitamin C in many fruits including grapefruit, pineapple, papaya, lemons, kiwi, mangoes, rutabagas, watermelon and lychees.

Vitamin A

Where can you find these super vitamins? In sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, butternut squash, red peppers, apricots, Chinese cabbage, spinach, lettuce, cherries, asparagus, red cabbage…

Zinc

This vitamin helps in the process of hair growth and can be found in oysters, lobster, crab, clams, mussels, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, cashews, peanuts and peanut butter, sunflower seeds and butter, pecans…

Change your diet and let us know what happens :’)

Photo Source: http://www.girlscosmo.com 

Our Fave Bare-Faced Beauty: Alicia Keys

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“I swear it is the strongest, most empowered, most free, and most honestly beautiful that I have ever felt.” – Alicia Keys

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Afro Hair & Beauty Live 2016!

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AHBL2016

 

“You Got Lemons Then Make Lemonade!” #NaturalHairMovements

Long before Beyonce got behind the old saying ‘when life gives you lemons make lemonade’ Afro Hair & Beauty Live has encouraged black women to take matters into their own hands and get involved in the business of natural hair. We are thrilled to welcome some of the most inspiring and tenacious female entrepreneurs of colour currently in the natural hair industry. Be inspired by the can-do attitude of experts sharing top tips, trade secrets, how-to’s and more at our seminar programme.

Watch & Learn Seminars

*Sunday Only* Join Design Essentials® Natural at the “Curls & Conversations” seminar. Meet the Design Essentials hosts and pick up how to tips, style secrets, have your questions answered and share your personal experiences at the Crowning Glory Q&A session.

Pelumi Rae*Monday Only* Get in line for Design Essentials® Professional Masterclass and learn about the revolutionary 3-Step STS Express Smoothing System, hair stylists, this is one not to be missed! Are you thinking about transitioning and kick starting your natural hair journey? Don’t miss Cantu Shea Butter Pelumi Rae (Care For Your Hair Blog) Natural Hair Rock The Look seminar. Say NO! To the myth of ‘difficult hair that takes long to do’ join Anastasia and Maria’sRock the Lookin 20 Minutes style challenge, and don’t forget your goody bag!

Premae’s Dr ClarePremae’s Dr Clare has some good news to share about dealing with skin ailments such as eczema, psoriasis and hyperpigmentation. Join her and learn what you can do to help yourself. Courtney Adeleye, CEO of The Mane Choice will discuss the healthy hair essentials to growing natural hair. Top hair colourist Victoria Akuagw will dispel myths around ‘good hair’ and gets down to the basics of conditioning and temporary colouring techniques like chalking, sprays and mousses.

#NaturalHairMovements

Natural product junkies! Discover new lines and stock up on all of these amazingKeracare products designed with your hair type in mind. Keracare Natural Textures will be on hand with their portfolio of brand new products. You can also take part in their hair scoping scalp analysis and pick up a personalised hair prescription of the perfect products tailored to your hair type. Design Essentials Coconut & Monoi Collection & Quinoa & Bamboo Repair Kit sounds good enough to eat!

TaliahFrom the USA, renowned natural hair specialist Taliah Waajid will be selling her chemical free line Black Earth Natural Products. Visit Senzeni Murau founder of T444Z and pick up the industries best kept secret Hair Food range. Look out for Mixed Roots and Shea Butter Naturals both will be available at the Pak’s Cosmetics super styling bar where will you be able to try before you buy and sample products on your own hair. Curly hair favourite Mixed Chicks will be there celebrating curls in all their natural diversity! And don’t miss industry giants L’Oreal launching Curl Nourishment celebrating the United Colours of Curls.

Ones to Watch: Are you looking for something different for your makeup bag? Invest in these newcomers to the makeup market. Kitoko (defined as beautiful in Lingala) presents a luscious collection of cosmetics inspired by its Congolese/Parisian origins and  VitaBlack purveyors of colour rich cosmetics have created a premium quality make up line suitable for all skintones. Don’t miss out on these and much more at Afro  Hair & Beauty Live 2016.

Who Else Is Exhibiting?

  • AMKA HEALTH & BEAUTY / AVIELA / AYO BEAUTY / CACHE COSMETICS / CANTU / CELEBRITY MAKEUP
  • CELEBRITY PREMIUM HAIR / CHRISTAL COSMETICS/ CRÈME OF NATURE /DESIGN ESSENTIAL NATURAL
  • DOLL HAIR COLLECTION / FABBABES HAIR / FOUNTAIN PIMENTO OIL / HAIRISSIME / HEADLINES HAIR & BEAUTY SUPPLIES / KISS BY IVY ENTERPRISES / KERACARE AVLON / KITOKO / LUSTER PRODUCTS / MANE CHOICE / ORS EUROPE / M&M COSMETICS / MARY KAY COSMETICS / MAZURI / MIXED CHICKS / MIXED ROOTS / MONSHEA / MY HAIR BAR / NATURALLY MADE FOR YOU / PAK COSMETICS / PALMERS
  • PHOENIX BEAUTY / PREMAE SKINCARE / PROSP HAIR / PURE GOODNESS / QAWE ORGANICS / RED CARPET LUXURY HAIR/ SHEA MOISTURE/ SOFN’FREE N PRETTY/ SOULFUL BEAUTY / TALIAH WAAJID’S BLACK EARTH PRODUCTS / TANAKA COSMETICS / TANGLE TEEZER / T444Z / VITABLACK / WAHL and much more.

Keep up to date sign up to Afro Hair & Beauty LIVE on  http://www.afrohairshow.com

Follow our hashtags #AHBLive and #OWNIT on Instagram @afrohairandbeautylive Facebook  AHBLive Twitter  @afrohairshow

TICKET INFORMATION:

Tickets Afro Hair & Beauty LIVE 2016 are on sale for £12.00 via the following outlets: Purchase in advance online for £ 10 SAVE £2.00 via  Black  Beauty & Hair Magazine at other ticket outlets £12 check website for details Afro Hair & Beauty Live.

How Water Affect Your Hair

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Spring is almost here… I don’t know about you but after keeping my hair in protective styles during winter all I want to do when it gets warmer is go into “fro mode”, big hair, no elastic bands, nowp-1459547256523.jpg nothing. Just how I like it.

However, one thing I have noticed is that my skin and hair can get extremely dry regardless of the product or techniques used. I did some research and find out that this dryness was mostly due to water. When you check your bathroom or kitchen do you see deposit around taps, shower head fixtures and tiles? That’s minerals: lime scale, chlorine… Depending on the level of minerals in the water, it will be classified as hard or soft water. Hard water is very common in the UK and contains a high level of minerals (compared to hard water) which prevents the moisture from penetrating the hair. In turn, this can lead to split ends and breakage.

However don’t let it destroy your precious curls! There are many solutions you can try to get these beautiful curls.

You can treat the problem from the source directly by using a shower filter or water softener. It can significantly reduce minerals, chlorine and other chemicals from the water. These options are quite expensive but very effective.

Apple cidar vinegar (ACV) rinse is also a great option to smooth hair and get rid of build up from your hair. This rinse will help you hair to be shinier and easier to manage. Mix 1/3 of a cup (75 ml) of apple cidar vinegar with a quart (1 liter) of water. You can leave this in a plastic bottle and use whenever you want after shampooing your hair.

Are you suffering from hard water ? We want to hear from you so share your experiences.

Natural Hair Week 2016!

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natural-hair-week-uk-2016-V5

The Natural Hair Week is the leading natural hair event in the UK where naturals like you find tips on health, beauty, nutrition and more. A dedicated event just for natural beauties created to empower, educate and elevate women and girls.

This year Natural Hair Week will take place from the 30th April to the 7th May 2016, in Manchester, Leeds, London and Birmingham.

Highlights include:

  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Demonstrations
  • Exhibitors…

For more information and tickets, visit Natural Hair Week website.

 

Am I My Sister’s Keeper?

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natural_hair_dolls

By creating so many illusory images of physical perfection, whether on store aisles or store front ads, magazine covers or TV shows, we speak more to the profit margins of companies than the self-esteem of today’s girl.

By Adora Svitak

Photo(s) Source(s): Kaye Wiggs

Winter Hair Regimen For Natural Hair

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Just when I thought that this year’s weather was pretty much ok considering the time of the year, winter decided to pop up out of nowhere. No warnings! So I guess, it’s time to update our regimen to keep these tresses looking fresh. Check out these top “winter hair” tips!

  1. Deep condition: Deep conditionning is a vital step especially during winter as it allows to keep your hair soft, strong and moisturised. If you want better results use a plastic cap or a steamer to help the conditionner further pernetrate the hair strand.
  2. Protective styles: Box braids, twists, senegalese twists, buns… There is a large variety of hairstyle you can test out but it is very important that you keep those ends protected from dryness and breakage.
  3. Hydratation: Apply a moisturiser of your choice regularly to nourish your ends. Make sure that your moisturiser contains water. An oil, cream or butter will work just fine.

What is your winter hair care regimen?

 

Product review: OSSAT Naturals

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Hey ladies …and gents,

Few months ago, I discovered the OSSAT Natural hair care line at a beauty event and was asked to review it. What does OSSAT stands for?

Olive oil

Shea butter

Sunflower oil

Argan oil

Tea tree oil

Review:

I have tried several products of the brand including the co-wash, leave in, hair mist and the wax.

Ossat-range1

Moisturizing Co-Wash: Since I have discovered co-washing I have always been a big fan, so when I found out that OSSAT Naturals offered one I was excited to try it. This product helps get rid of all the things that causes breakage including product build up and dirt. Although, the co-wash is light you only need a small amount. What I liked most about the co-wash was that it left my hair soft, clean and easy to detangle.  

Triple Moisture Lotion: It is a leave in conditioner that can be used daily “for added moisture to keep your curls healthy looking and soft.” I have used it on clean hair, after washing my hair with the co-wash. My hair is really coarse and thick and felt really hard after using it. So no more Triple Moisture Lotion for me.

Natural Oils Moisture Mist: The mist looks like water and comes in a spray bottle. You can apply it on dry or wet hair and even on the skin. I always prefer to add products on wet hair as it works best for me. It is a very light spray and I really liked the smell (reminded me of watermelon) but I haven’t seen any difference before and after using the product.

Form & Hold Wax: This wax defines curls and can be used as an edge tamer at the same time. It is non-hardening, non-flaking and humidity resistant. It is one of the best waxes I have used so far; I was really impressed with it. My edges were so smooth after using it and it is long lasting. I have applied a small amount and distributed evenly with a soft brush. I loved it and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a great wax/edge tamer.

Have you tried any of these products? What is your favourite? Let us know.

Source(s): http://www.ossatnaturals.com

Woman Of Action: Marjorie Stewart Joyner

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Marjorie Stewartimage Joyner born in 1896 in Virginia was the granddaughter of a slave and a slave owner. When she reached the age of 16 she decided to pursue a career in cosmetology and became the first black woman to graduate from the beauty school, A.B. Molar Beauty School.

At the age of 20, Marjorie decided to follow the entrepreneurial path by opening a beauty salon. From there, she was introduced to another beauty entrepreneur, the well-known Madam C.J. Walker who owned a large number of beauty businesses across the United States. Following Madam C.J. Walker death in 1919, Marjorie was left in charge of the entrepreneur’s companies.
One thing that Marjorie noticed with black women’s hair is that it was a struggle to straighten their curly hair as there were only limited options available. Straightening curly hair was a really long process since women had to use a stove-heated curling iron and use it one section of hair at a time. Madam Joyner decided to solve this problem by creating the “Permanent Waving Machine”, a machine which enabled women to get straight hair for days but also defined curls.

Her invention allowed to set women’s entire head at the same time. In 1926, Marjorie won a patent for her creation and became the first African-American woman to receive a patent for an invention.

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Photo(s) source(s): inventors.about.com

askmeaboutmyhair.com

She Did It!

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Viola Davis made history after becoming the first black woman to win Lead Actress Drama Award at the Emmy. Congrats and thank you for being an inspiration.

Viola-Davis-Oscars-2015

Photo(s) source(s): essence.com

To Go Or Not To Go To The Salon? That Is The Question.

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As much as I love my natural hair, sometimes I just don’t want to deal with it especially when it comes to wNatural-Hair-Hair-Salonash day. Sadly, it seems quite difficult to find people to do your hair without damaging it. Few years ago, I had a really bad hair experience at a hair salon. It was for New Year’s Eve. Like many women I wanted to look good to start the New Year. The outfit was sorted, the hair was the only missing piece of the puzzle. I just wanted straight hair for a change and decided to go to the salon so it could be done professionally. It started quite well. Washing…Good…Detangling…Good…Blowout…Erm not s
o good. I had to tell her what to do and what made it worse was that my hair at the back got burnt in the process. It just would not curl back anymore when
wet so had to wait for it to grow back. Despite this unfortunate “incident”, I decided to give salons another chance 2 years ago for a treatment which was good. It really moisturised my hair deeply but at the end, the hairstylist left me with three uneven cornrows on the head with my hair still wet. So I asked what she was going to do after…she said “It’s done.” Wait. What?! She explained that if I wanted something else I had to pay extra. The treatment was quite expensive so I would assume everything was included! Here again I told her to take out these cornrows and do a fro instead. Obviously, they never saw me again…

If you too had a bad hair experience or a really good one, please do not hesitate to share with us.

Photo(s) source(s): @dazziling_braids