New Coupon Code: Born Pretty Store

Hello Ladies!

 Did you miss our last coupon code for Born Pretty? Don't fret I have another one for you, this time around you can save 5% on everything on their site, with their already everyday low prices and free shipping this makes for a great deal!

Coupon Code: TTL73

Happy Shopping!

2 Ponytails with Beads

I wanted to do just a quick and simple style for the diva so I opted for two side ponytails with braids and beads on the ends. I used my homemade leave in conditioner mix and my shea butter mix.

See that 1st braid? It thins out towards the ends because that's her bangs mixed with normal length hair

Lipgloss Love Affair: The Super Duper Hello Kitty Giveaway

Lipgloss Love Affair: The Super Duper Hello Kitty Giveaway: I know I've hyped this giveaway up quite a bit. I was just waiting on the last couple of items to arrive and now I can finally post it up! ...

Shea Moisture Product Review

I was lucky enough to win a giveaway over at Baby Bella Hair which included the Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Kit.

Included in the kit was the following:
Hold & Shine Moisture Mist 4oz
Curl & Style Milk 4oz
Curl Enhancing Smoothie 4oz
Curl & Shine Shampoo 4oz


Hold & Shine Moisture Mist

Ingredients:
Deionized Water,   , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut),   , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter),   , Silk Protein,   , Essential Oil Blend,   , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem),   , Algae Extract,   , Hlyssopus Officinalis Extract,   , Salvia Officinalis Leaf and Equisetum Arvense Extract (Sage),   , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle),   , Tocopherol (Vitamin E), 

Their Claim:
Our all-natural moisture mist eliminates frizz, while hydrating hair and creating brilliant shine and curl control. For thick, curly hair.

My Thoughts:
I use this mist as a second day refresher for my curls and for my son's curls and it works great for both of us! I like the smell and I love how it sprays out of the nozzle to evenly distribute the product all over my hair. I would re-purchase this again for sure.

Curl & Style Milk

Ingredients:
Deionized Water,   , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter),   , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut),   , Sugar Starch,   , Silk Protein,   , Essential Oil Blend,   , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem),   , Caprylyl Glycol,   , Sorbitol Esters,   , Algae Extract,   , Hlyssopus Officinalis Extract,   , Salvia Officinalis Leaf and Equisetum Arvense Extract (Sage),   , Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot),   , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle),   , Tocopherol (Vitamin E),

Their Claim:
Detangles, conditions and controls curl, while restoring body and shine. For thick, curly hair.

My Thoughts:
I like this milk as a moisturizer for the diva, it doesn't really define my curls, and for JJ it seems to define his curls and moisturize them as well. I would re-purchase for their use not for my own use. The consistency is nice creamy which I like.

Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Ingredients:
Deionized Water,   , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter),   , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut),   , Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil,   , Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado),   , Vegetable Glycerin,   , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract,   , Silk Protein,   , Ammonium Salt,   , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem),   , Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot),   , Sorbitol Esters,   , Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5),   , Caprylyl Glycol,   , Essential Oil Blend,   , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower and Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle),   , Tocopherol (Vitamin E),  

Their Claim:
Nutrient rich vegetable butters condition hair, restoring moisture, body and shine. Enhances curls, minimizes frizz and provides curl control. For thick, curly hair. Sulfate-free and color-safe.


My Thoughts:
I LOVE this product!!! I can't say enough good things about it, I use it for my twists, twist outs and braid outs and it gives just the perfect weight and hold and produces the most amazing twist outs and braid outs I've ever had. I will definitely re-purchase this product again and it has become one of my staples. Usually during the winter months I have to use lighter products because the thicker heavier products are just too much for my hair doing the hotter months but I can use this product year around with no problems. I also used this in JJ curls and it gave the most amazing definition to his curls he didn't need to add anything else to his har yay!


Curl & Shine Shampoo

stock photo I apparently forgot to take a pic of my actual bottle

Ingredients:
Deionized Water,   , Decyl Glucoside (Sugar Beets),   , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut),   , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter),   , Aloe Vera Leaf Juice,   , Vitamin E,   , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem),   , Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (Coconut Oil),   , Panthenol (Vitamin B-5),   , Rosemary Extract,   , Silk Protein,   , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower and Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Lonicera), 

Their Claim:
This product gently cleanses, hydrates and detangles hair for bouncy and healthy curls.


My Thoughts:
I have used this shampoo only on my hair, and my hair loves it! It has just the right balance of moisture to where my hair doesn't feel stripped or dried out, it remains amazingly soft during the whole process but yet it still thoroughly cleanses my hair. I sometimes find myself rinsing for longer than normal because I can't believe that my hair is that soft and I am convinced their is still some shampoo left in it :) I will definitely re-purchase this shampoo in the future.

Have you tried this line?
What are your thoughts?
Do they work for you?


Enjoy!

Shea Butter Mix

After hearing all this rave about shea butter and all the different recipes people use in there mix I was determined to make my own batch and try it out for myself.

I found an African store locally and picked up a 32oz jar of Raw Shea Butter for $14.99.

These are the ingredients I used in my mix:

Aloe Vera Gel, Avocado Oil, Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Mixing:
Seeing how this was going to be my first batch I was cautious about how much of the shea butter I wanted to waste use. So I scooped out 2 tablespoons of the raw shea butter and put it into another bowl. I have heard of people melting their shea butter and also heard of people just mixing theirs until it became creamy. I decided to do the latter. I mashed and mixed my raw shea butter with the tablespoon until it became creamy, then I added 2 tablespoons of the avocado oil, I opted for a lighter oil since the shea butter is already thick and heavy. I then continued to mix the oil and shea butter together until it was blended. Next I added 2 tablespoons of the Aloe Vera Gel and that made the consistency more like whipped butter, which is exactly what I was going for. Finally I added in 11 drops of my Sweet Orange Essential Oil to help hide the nutty smell of the raw shea butter. I then let my mix sit in the fridge for 15 min, and I leave it out in a closed bowl at room temp.

End Results:

I've been using this batch for about 4 days now on both me and diva's hair and I believe it should last about 2-3 weeks. I've used it on wet and dry hair as a sealant, I believe shea butter acts as a sealant not a moisturizer, so I apply it to my hair after my moisturizer has been applied and it works great on both wet and dry hair. It gives the diva's hair a nice shine and makes it really soft and does a good job at locking in the moisture.

Do you use shea butter?
If so how do you use it?
What's your recipe?

Enjoy!

Soaps By Naure: Go Green Sponsor

Soaps By Nature was created by Mary Hemminger and is based out of Wisconsin. Her site offers selected natural-ingredient handcrafted skincare products. Her site offers Balms and Salves, all kinds of soaps for all of your needs: pets, dry/sensitive skin, cleansing, men, oily/acne, and travel sets. Whatever you need soaps by nature offers it!

I am so pleased and honored to be represented by such an awesome company that offers great natural products at affordable prices.

Please check them out:



and on



Enjoy!

Halo Cornrow & Ponytail

I was in need of a quick cute style for the diva and my friend over at Mainly Braids suggested the halo cornrow, I had no clue what that was lol so she showed me a pic and I said I'd give it a shot. I think it came out pretty good. I did this style in about 10 min if I had more time I would have attempted to part her hair better :) I just spritzed the hair I cornrowed with my homemade leave in conditioner mix and sealed with my shea butter mix. I started at the nape of the neck and then added the remaining hair to the ponytail.

braid is going up to the ponytail

ponytail was a simple braid out

Enjoy!

10% Off Coupon Code for Nail Art Supplies & Designs

Hello Ladies,
 I wanted to share this 10% off coupon code for Born Pretty it can be used on anything on their site. They have everything for nails from supplies to designs and tools to do the designs as well as false eyelashes and crazy cool contact lenses and etc. I buy all of my nail art supplies from them :) They offer FREE shipping all the time and already have great low prices so you can't beat that, free shipping, low prices, and 10% off.

The coupon code is FREEL73 and expires Aug. 30th 2011

Happy Shopping!!

* I was not compensated in anyway for creating this post and all opinions are my own.

BrytonPick--FLOSS In Seconds

I was so excited to try this product because I HATE flossing my teeth because my teeth are so tight together that I have to wiggle the floss around a few times before it finally breaks through the teeth and reaches my gums and usually I end up with an owie and bloody gums :( no fun. So I was sent this new product by BrytonPick for free to review.

I received two for my review, each one comes in it's own carry pouch and fits perfectly in my purse and pockets. The floss is reusable for up to 30 days, I have had mine for about 2 weeks now and I use after lunch while I'm at work. It is so quick and easy to use, no more hurt or bleeding gums. The cleaning edge is super flexible and thin and slips right inbetween my teeth for a good cleaning. You can clean the surface with warm/hot water or wipe it clean with a napkin. The surface is germ resistant and is made of stainless steel and the handle is made of plastic.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

JJ: A Look Back

Here's another addition of back in the day photos this time featuring JJ

The Baby Years

Newborn

Red cross-eyes :( he had a traumatic birth

Me and baby JJ

wide awake

4 weeks old

Baby

4 months old

11 months old

 

1 1/2 years old

The Toddler Years

The Kid Years

1st grade

2nd grade

3rd grade

Now: 4th grade

Enjoy!

Nail Art Design

I wanted to try something new on the diva and decided to use my pretty rhinestones that I got from Born Pretty and then made up the design using my LA Color Art Deco in White.

I don't really know what I was doing with the desing LOL but I love the 3 jewels and they surprisingly lasted for a whole week!

Enjoy!

Uneven Braids with Zig Zag Parts

I started this style yesterday by clarifying the diva's hair with Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo and then followed up with a deep conditioning using Komaza Care Olive Moisture Mask with a plastic shower cap on her head for about 30 min. I finger detanlged her hair while the conditioner was still in then rinsed with cool water. I used Carol's Daughter's Healthy Hair Butter and Darcy's Botantical's Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Conditioning Oil as my styling aids. I banded the diva's hair in 6 sections and she slept with her satin bonnet on.

Today I had no clue what style I was going to do and decided to just freestyle it. I parted her hair in 3 sections from ear to ear. The first section I made a diagonal part and then did a little design to connect to two ponytails that I did the uneven braid method on I learned from Goldi Locks N Me. The second section I did a zig zag part and two uneven braids and the last section I did one ponytail with an uneven braid. I put beads on the ends of all of the ponytails.

I expect this style to last all week long.

Enjoy!