yes, im still here!

its been way too long since I've last wrote on this site and not for lack of trying just a simple lack of...

I have been busy with well life and such and the fact that my laptop died shortly after I moved and my tablet way before that, you can see why I haven't tried to reconnect electronically.

but life is good!!!!

really good in fact, I love my job as a Para and I really enjoy working with my kindergarten class. The only sucky thing is getting used to being paid twice a month over the every two weeks at the old job. But the pay is soooooooo much better just need to work on my budgeting.

I love my families new place. Its spacious, gathers so much light, and dots welcoming. Its not just a spot for us to call a home but this is home until we find a complete space of out own. I bought bedroom furniture and a new tv, both of which I was holding off until I found a space of my own. But I am definitely enjoying my purchases.

I have some product reviews to write about alikay and on my most recent protective style. things with the nephew deserve a post of their own!

Protective Style: Three Strand Twist

Now when i first learned of this, i was like no way is that possible, but it and and its fairly easy..
fairly.

Now I found a simple tutorial on youtube (click here) that completely dumbed it down. I always refer back to this video when i get my finger placement wwrong or need a refresher. its simple, and i liked the fact that she showed you how to do it with the yarn rather than having to try to catch her finger movements as she does her own hair.

So yea...

I havent done these in a while, the last time being 2012 (i think) yep it was then so lets compare shall we

dec. 2012 vs. feb 2014

 
Not that much of a difference other than length of my hair, i colored it, and i did them a bit chunkier. The method used (not that you can really see it) is also different. I had to go back and make some smaller since they were really puffy. I use a tension method to keep the twist really tight. Meaning that after a few times of going around i would pull at the ends as far as it would go to bring the hair up and start twisting again.

I recently saw this video and i like the method of braiding the hair a bit first (same as a stylist would do when twisting with extensions) and starting the twist from there.

I like how mines came out and how i look with the twist. I'm leaving it in until friday. Got an exam that day and then Saturday is the Locs Revolution: Know Your Roots natural hair even in Harlem. Ill be there as brand ambassador for Alikay Naturals.

So come through!

Have you tried 3 strand twists before?

A.Soul

Product Review: Entwine Couture 'Fall Ready Collezioni'

Hey all, i was a giveaway queen for th new year! last week i used my goodies from @MNRtv, loved the Miss Jessie's shampoo, didnt get a wow with their leave in condish but i'll try it again. Same with the sweetback treatment.

This week i used my hair crack (Mixed Chicks) for wash day. I dont use it often since my pockets arent that deep. But know this, as soon as that deep conditioner hits my hair, my hair is in HEAVEN!!!!

Ahem..
Any who here's what i used

I somehow ended up with two boxes (not that im complaining but i gave one to my coworker since she was looking in to getting the sample kit from Amazon). From Entwine Couture I got their Fall Ready Collezioni: which included full sizes of their 

• Exotique leave in hair potion (here)
• 100% raw+vegan argan oil (here)
• Exotique butter creme hydrator (here)
• Creme jelle styler (here)

After i washed my hair, toweled dried it, let it air dry for bit and then followed up with the leave in. Then the argan oil ( i do like the pump!) and the butter creme hydrator. This was my LOC. These three are very light weight and have a very light scent to them. i followed up with my now foods castor oil and the creme jelle styler. The styler is a heavier consistency but also very fluffy as well, it was whipped really well. 

I did some three strand twists ( next post) and that was it. I liked the feel of the products going into my hair. I prefer the creme jelle styler over the butter creme in that my hair needs a heavier moisturizer. The leave in was a bit more watery than i liked. But my hair feels awesome. I dont even have to say anything about my ends this time around (my problem area) cause they are well and truly hydrated.

I highly recommend this! 

Iits CG friendly as well - no mineral oils, parabens, petrolatum, or phthalates. 

Enter the Entwine Giveaway here

Love,
A.Soul

Closing of a Chapter

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I finally left my job! Last Friday was my last day and i was so happy to leave! Of course i was annoyed on my last day and people were just not helping in that office with my being the only one to nswer the window most of the day (as usual)

but now im gone! im fucking free of that annoyance!

AMEN!!!



but it was my first job and i greatly appreciate it as it was, a start up. I was over it since graduation tho. That office though it was a great support and easy going and sometimes lackadaisical on it slow days, some people gave me weird vibes and i didnt like that. like bipolar personalities and always had something to say about something (... this bitvh)

Any who, i met some pretty great people there and formed some good working relationships. And also found some good friends.

good times on the last day and thos cupcakes were banging!

Product Review: Miss Jessie's & ORS

It was a Miss Jessie's wash day this weekend. I recently won the super slip sudsy shampoo and leave in condish from the My Natural Reality birthday giveaway  and i already had some samples from various other natural hair events that i've been to in the past few years. (Exact pic of everything i used! lol)

                        

HOWEVER!...

This is my first time using any of it. Cause you know my pockets dont run that deep and its 50/50 on what people say about it. I am more for the CG method of being natural staying away from cones, parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, etc... And the first thing i see on the shampoo ingredient list after water is Ammonium Lauryl sulfate ...

((((O_O)))) (lord give me strength)

But i did it and i really like this shampoo... didnt get that slip it talked about but it did suds up nicely and my hair did not feel stripped and was really moisturized (thank you jeezus!). Will i purchase again... meh. lets see how my pockets feel when it runs out lol.

Now i followed up with ORS Replenishing Conditioner cause i personally felt my hair (specifically the ends)  needed that extra bit of protein care. But it didnt do much for me, did not like how my hair felt afterwards and this was a first. I then deep conditioned with the Super Sweetback Treatment..

BUT WAIT! (mad jamaican wit it lol)

What did i think i was going to accomplish with the 1-.46oz pillow pack with my big ass head of hair???.. 

Again did not like how my hair felt afterwards. And the bumblegum scent was alright (like bubble tape in my hair lol). I dont think sweetback is for me.. but ill give it another go (without the protein tx) and then try the rapid recovery tx. I did the same method as my last wash and while rinsing out the sweetback treatment... added Shea Moisture's restorative conditioner on my hair as well. It gave it some life but not much.

Moisture Method: The leave in condish was nothing special. Meaning i didnt notice much of a difference in my hair putting it in.  followed by oil, alikay's shea yogurt, castor oil and then the jelly soft curls. And i already like the jelly soft curls, i notice the the curl enhancement as soon as i lay that on my hair.... love my LOCO G method!


Now the SCENT! They were not kidding with they called it a FRESH SCENT! i Felt like i had just washed linen following me around with a hint of lemon and apples mixed in. Its a very light fresh clean but slightly sweet scent. 

I dont mind it. I dont mind it at all.

Recommendations: ALL OF IT! =) Honestly i did like everything. Ill give the sweetback treatment another go (bigger size of course!) But for you guys I would try the sample packs/ 2oz sizes first before you go all full size and yes they do offer them on the site! =)

Love,
A.Soul

Moisture Routine: The LOCO G!

Huh?

I bet you're confused but have no fear i shall explain.
=)

After the take down of my braids my hair was in serious need of some TLC which i gave it last weekend. and i had it in a protective style for most of last week until i decided to wear my hair in it twist out.
With this cold weather i did not moisturize as well as i should have =/

Le Sigh...

But i did use my LOC method and sealed afterwards with some castor oil midweek, which helped in sealing in moisture on my somewhat crispy ends. So it became an LOC+O. I usually go LOC+G, sealing it all in with a light weight gel (ors loc & twist creme, miss jessie's jelly soft curls, or curls cashmere curl jelly). I liked how my hair felt after sealing with the castor oi so i said i'd do it again for this week.

But this weekend i decided for an uber method the LOCO G! lol yes you read it right (the crazy g!)

So its pretty much all i said earlier loc method with an oil followed by gel in the end.Yes it sounds like much but if you have coarse (4b/c) hair that soaks up moisture and want to wear your hair out in the 11 degree weather out in NYC then you have to go to extremes..

(damn polar vortex!)

O_O

So this is what i used this week.. i traded up the alikay naturals leave in for the miss jessie's leave in condish (won it in a giveaway.. it was a miss jessie's wash day!)

My hair feels awesome and I wont be moisturizing again til the end of this week.. hopefully!

Whats your moisture routine like?

A.Soul

Poem: Soon I Will Be by KC Burke

And I told you
that i am not ready

I am still learning
about the world
and myself

I am still growing
into who i am
into who i think i
should be
and who i want to be

I am slowly forming
into an individual
that I want
my family to be proud of...
that my friends are aiming towards...
that my future husband and children are in awe of!

my future self will be ready
but my self now is not

A.Soul

Poem: Happiness Becomes Me by KC Burke

I am happy
And in my happiness
I want to squeal....
              girlishly
to jump and dance,
              do my happy jig!
to clap my hands and
              stomp my feet...
to scream:
              YES! YES! YES!

Can you tell....
              I am happy!


A.Soul


Wrote this when i found out we went international with ASOM Designs

O.O Shea Moisture Shampoo Gone Bad! O.O

the smell. omg, the smell.

its like a rotten eggs and perm mixture

:::faints:::

Ok, im done now. But this shit stinks. I bought a bottle of Shea Moisture's Raw Shea Moisture Retention shampoo when Walgreens was having its half off  sale in December. I haven't used the bottle yet myself seeing as how i still had my mini bottle from the shea moisture hair color system box when i colored my hair back in November. I was even thinking of mixing in the smaller bottle with the bigger one.

I'm glad i didn't....

Monday my mom asked me if  used the Shea Moisture shampoo yet and if i added anything to it. I told her no and that i used the mini when i washed my box braids. She went on to say that when she used it it smelled disgusting and she thought that since she had the acv in her that that might have caused the change in scent, But when she used it a second time without the acv or any other products the scent was still there and asking me she now knew that i did not change or alter its contents. Opening the bottle myself, i closed that shit immediately. My first thought was that there is a permed masked as the shea butter shampoo in my house. Then the smell of rotten eggs kicked in.

Eww.

Of course i emailed the company that same day (still waiting on a response, but im thinking with the help of social media.. it'll come faster. so to twitter, facebook, blogger, tumblr, instagram i go)

I honestly spent the last few minutes getting ready this morning taking pictures so you could see the difference in color of the bottles. One, the mini, is the regular tan shade and scent, while the other is is a light creamy green color with a very putrid smell.

                                

I know its probably a bad batch i got or something else (i dunno, maybe bad storage placement on my end) and i'm not saying that this has occurred to me before or frequently. Its the first time. I just want some acknowledgement on  the issue. I mean i only paid $4.99 for it. its not that serious. But if i could get a new bottle that would be awesome. =)

Anyone else had a bad experience with a product similar to this? Has a product expired on you?

Wish me luck!

A.Soul

Protective Style: Flat Twists & Roll Tuck

found this on Entwine Naturalle Couture facebook page.. might be my style for this week!

i dont know if i'll get my twists this lose, cause i usually twist tighter than whats shown but ill give it a go

And there it is. Not as neat as hers but i like it and it fits my face. Instead of leaving the back straight i had it in mini-twists to give it a more crinkled look. Left that in for two days before i took them out and roll tuck them away. 

Protective Style II Take Down & Wash Day

                     

Braids are gone people! (finally) After 7 long weeks, i took them down friday and im and so glad to have my hair out and about again. Its a learning experience doing these type of long term protective styles. its long term for me since i dont where my hair in twists for more than a week or 2, 3 is sometimes stretching it.

But take down took me an entire day. I pretty much stayed home after my surgery and chilled on netflix on my brothers big screen lo. Like the loc extensions, i took my time taking out the hair, spraying my roots with the acv spray and ball of dirt collected at the start of the braids. I gently pulled that apart and finger combed for each braid. After a while the pain kicked in from sitting in one position so long and i had to stop for the rest of the night.

heres a good video to watch on take down..

Saturday was wash day. i treated with a protein treatment plus a bit of garlic in the mix to help with my major shedding that occurred. Garlic will be a new addition to my weekly treatments from now on. Afterwards i followed through with the luscious locks shea butter shampoo (can find here or here) and then alikay naturals honey sage deep conditioner (here).

                               

With the DC i read on Curly Nikki this "Before rinsing, add a daily conditioner to seal in the treatment" It was a couple months ago before when i read this that i finally put it to use this weekend because hair still felt some type of way to me. i used Shea Moisture's Raw Shea Restorative Conditioner and it felt great afterwards. i would have used the shampoo but it smells something awful. Never have i ever used used the raw shea shampoo before and it smelled rancid (like rotten eggs and perm)... Just NO! i was not using it and i emailed them immediately! i really like their shampoo its just his one bottle that came out wrong... Lets see how that goes (cue side eye)

As for moisturizing and styling products, i used;

• alikay naturals lemongrass leave in (20% off Code FOC2014, ends 2/10)
• my oil mixture
• alikay natural shea yogurt moisturizer (20% off Code NMEL2014, ends 2/20)
• luscious locks shea butter curl enhancer (out of this months curlkit)

A well needed trim followed. I dusted my ends in th large sections after moisturizing. then again in smller sections as i went through for styling. I was aiming for a flexi rod set.. before i headed out for my friends surprise birthday party (of course my hair didnt dry in time... NEED HOODED DRYER!)... ended up with two large flat twists for the night (no pics)

And now i need a protective style for the week, cause its gonna be cold in NYC =(

...found it yesterday, new post with pics later!

Happy Days,

A.Soul

I've had Surgery

So if you follow me on twitter or instagram you'd know that i had surgery Thursday from that hematoma thingy ive been complaining about.

But it wasnt a hematoma. i visited my gynecologist on Monday and she told me that my doctor read the chart wrong (joy) and she did not understand why they told me i had a hematoma. Yes it was enlarged and they did see something but that wasnt it.

Whoosa!

Any who, what i had was a polyp (been spelling it wrong for a while lol). More specifically an endometrial polyp.

As Defined by Wiki:

An endometrial polyp or uterine polyp is a polyp or lesion in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) that takes up space within the uterine cavity. Commonly occurring, they are experienced by up to 10% of women.[6]...They range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters.[7] link here

So pretty much i had some extra tissue in the lining of my uterus that cause me to have heavier bleeding during my periods and some bleeding before and after (pretty much light to heavy spotting).

Now the procedure i had done was a hysteroscopy. Its was a transvaginal procedure meaning they enter through my vagina and no topical incisions made. They opened up my cervix and scrapped away at anything thy could see that was abnormal.. hence polyp. Of course they explained to me what could go wrong, specifically a tear or scratch in my cervix (which unfortunately did happen) that they could fix up right away. So i have a few stitches on my cervix (again joy).

I was put under anesthesia and had me a lovely oxygen mask (my throat finally stopped hurting as much today). So i will be spotting for the next two weeks (again joy). No sex or bubbles baths (:::tear:::) and no tampon use at all (basically nothing inserted) until the all clear from the doc.

Le Sigh.

But its all good. And did i tell you my best friends are awesome. They both came and stayed with me for the day of. Krys came after work. Kizz's parents dropped me off and then took us all home. Mommy was there of course! And i love them all so dearly.

My support system is awesome!!!

Anyway thats my news, I've no pain (until 6-8pm last night) mostly a migraine and sore throat. Other than that i'm all good.

Have a great Weekend!
A.Soul

Side Note, the pain i was experiencing in my ovaries was something different altogether, but the birth control pills, as i was told by my gyn will relieve the symptoms. thank Jeezus!

Shea Moisture Saturdate

Have you heard about todays date with She Moisture?

No?

Well then, i must share this good news with you! Lol.  =)

Today Shea Moisture invites you out to your local Walgreens, where they are have a BOGO sale on Shea Moisture products. There you will take a selfie with said products and enter for a chance to win $100 worth of Shea Moisture goodies.  winner will be randomly selected and announced on facebook on Monday

Sounds fun right!

 Bring a friend & take some random selfies with Shea Moisture goodies at your local Walgreens Today!

ASOM Designs Giveaway!

So this week ASOM has gone to international waters and we sold one of Krystal's Chunky Fabric Necklaces!

And i've noticed that we have over a hundred likes on the FB page. So i thought why not celebrate our recent good news with a giveaway!

So i talked with the girls and they agreed, seeing as how Krystal handles the fabrics i spoke with her on the fabrics available and we have a pretty nice ankara that i like.

See.

We are giving away one 1 1/12 inch (large)  button earring  and one matching Queen necklace, in a lovely set. The necklace will of ourse be handpainted and come with a leather cord attached.

Enter Here: http://tinyurl.com/llunwnm

52 Books: 1:Jubilee By Margaret Walker

SO i cam across this on twitter, and then again on IG. And nowi see where it all began about 3 years ago on this site here. With the avid reader i am on Wattpad and how i used to be as a child with my novels, i find this challenge to be inspiring.

In this challenge you 52 books for the year. One book a week that is of interest to you. You can buy them or borrow them from the library, up to you. I like to buy my books and have them in hand or you know keep it in my kindle app on my tablet (very handy as well)

I slowed my reading down with school because it was hard to keep up my reading for fun and the reading required for class. But now im slowing getting back into my passion of reading for fun. I started off this year getting a new copy of a book i lost a few years ago (thanks nephew) called Jubilee by Margaret Walker

This book took place in slavery times. It followed one family about through their years as a slaves from working on the plantation is a child to the civil war to the trials of their freedom. I enjoyed this book because as a young black i find Vyrys struggle my own. Her story is a battle of fear and acceptance and the will to fight, of nature vs. nurture and a simple history lesson of life in that time. Bad with descriptions but you get the gist in the second sentence.

Would i recommend this book, absolutely!

can buy it here!

Currently reading: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Poem: Unsaid Words

I am silent,
cause you give me
no reason
to speak

You are silent
because
you have no words to say

I am stifled
under the words that
threaten
to break free

You are ignorant
to your unseen hold
on my tongue

I am baffled
at your inability to see
Me...
waiting

And you,
you are
....well, its too late now
I am gone.

Quick Update: On My Unexpected news

This hematoma hurts like a mf!! 

And i dont know if this nausea is a side effect (yes that is Pain from Naruto felt like it was called for)but nope, 

pineapples! 


i dont want it!
(This shit is tryna fuck me over!)


needed some humor>>>>


That is all! And i swear it cause my appointment is next week that it wants to act up cause it wasnt bothering all last week! This mother Fudge nugget! (yea i cursed!)

Le sigh...

For those of you that are new and have no idea what im talking about... read this  if not then i have a bruised, enlarged ovary that has a hematoma on it. how the fuck it got there i will never know but its been a few years and shit is getting crazy! i cant take the pain anymore (like crippling im-on-the-floor-crying-i-need-to-call-out-of-work-give-me-morphine type pain)

It shall soon be taaken care of.. AMEN!

And with that i bid you adieu, bonne nuit!

Face Time: Simple Makeup Look

Alright, So i decided that i will try to get back into my makeups this year. Dont get me wrong i love my natural look and most of the time im too lazy to remember to do makeup or even  a full face all the time (even though i m not into the contouring shit that people too which looks pretty cool.. #aintnobodygottimeforthat!) Im just gonna get back into my eye makeup and broaden my lipsticks colors.

So what i have here is an eye pencil (white...$0.99) and lip pencil (coffee...$0.99) and mascara (Black...$1.99) from NK cosmetics (beauty supply story find.. spent no more than $5 for all three). NYX matte black eye liner of the noir eye liner collection (got it from Rickys... $6). Rouge cream lipstick magnetism 27 ($12.50) and Tarte Amazonian Clay waterproof concealer in deep ($22) from Sephora.

What i did what use the white eye liner in the corner of my eyes, followed with the matte black eye liner for top and bottom lids. I used the tarte concealer under my eyes and the few dark spots around my face (need to find a good fade cream fro those). Then mascara. I lined my lips with the brown lip liner and then followed with the lipstick. 

I was going for a simple nude look, nothing special since im gonna be stuck in my office all day. And im not trying to look pretty for anyone (not even the Nephew that im talking to now)

Oh wanna know why i used the white in the corner (next time getting a cream one).. well was i on YT (yup and thats how shit gets started!) and saw this video and was like oh cool, i wanna try that. and there it goes lol

But let me know what you think.

A.Soul

Face Time: Proper Use of Clay Mask

Ask me why i started looking clay mask and whether or not you have to wash/scrub your face beforehand... i will not be able to tell you.

But i stocked up on my freeman Feeling Beautiful Purifying Acai Clay Mask (ultimate fav) and i was just about to use it but i havent washed my face since Thursday (gross i know, but i left my house once for a meeting at a friends house so it really didnt matter much to me)

Any who.. leaving my gross habits alone. I couldnt remember if it was scrub before you cleanse and then mask, or mask then cleanse or, cleanse then scrub then mask...

Why am i putting my face through all this you ask.. did you not read, i have not washed my face since Thursday! Thats 3 days of dead skin and clogged pores built up on my face.Ewww ( and yes i will continue being this lazy with my skin when im not going out on long weekends).

But i came across this article on the proper use of clay masks here which a facialist said

"You should never let a clay mask dry fully." 

Her reasoning is that

 "There are three phases of a clay mask," McGlinchey continued. "There's the damp phase where your skin drinks in the beneficial minerals from the outside. Then you have the start of the dry phase, which exercises your capillaries and stimulates blood flow as the mask cools and contracts. But then there's the dry phase, which draws out moisture from the surface of your skin, causing dehydration and irritation." Not only does skin then feel dry, tight, and sometimes itchy, but when you counteract it by slathering on extra face cream, you're just smothering your freshly cleansed skin.

Huh... well now i know.

Masks stay on for the 5-7 minutes and no later than that.

Oh and the answer to my question is here Cleanse, Exfoliate, Mask, Toner (if needed), and then Moisturize (obviously)... well if you're in a facial need like me.

and you guys already know my skin care products.

• Cleanser: Carols Daughter cleanser, 
• Exfoliator: either st. ives apricot scrub or the freeman polishing mask,
• Mask: the freeman purifying clay mask, 
• Toner: carols daughter exfoliating toner, 
• Moisturizer: Carols Daughter acai face lotion or organic shea butter 

Other than that this isn't necessary for every day. 

Cleanse daily, Exfoliate 2-3x/week, Mask 1-2x/week at most and, Moisturize daily

What are your skin care product faves?

A.Soul

Protective Style:: Box Braids: Maintenance & Wash Day

So its been 4 weeks since ive had these box braids in (my mommy did them for me!) And ive been treating them so poorly. The first week or two i was tying it every night, spraying it with the Alikay Naturals leave in, massaging in my oils... and now its just like i cant bother with it.

The first and third week i treated it to a dry wash with my ACV spray. Last week there was also some shampoo used (Shea Moisture Raw Shea Moisture Retention Shampoo), and i used a wash rag to get into btween the braids after rinsing them with some water. I was only focused on my scalp and not the mength of the hair.

today i really shampooed and conditioned cause it was needed.

1. i sprayed my scap with the ACV spray and gently rubbed it in to help alleviate the build up accrued. In it i have water, acv, tea tree, rosemary and peppermint
2. i rinsed using my applicator bottle ( then filling my applicator bottle about halfway with luscious locks shea butter shampoo. again focusing on my scalp i sprayed it on gently rubbing so as not to irritate it. then i rinsed with warm water. 
3. i filled a small spray bottle with water and herbal essences hello hydration conditioner and sprayed my scalp and the length of my actual hair on the braids. After i felt that i saturated it enough i poured the rest of mixture in and let it sit for about 5 minutes while i worked it into my scalp, again gently rubbing before rinsing with cool water. Always do your final rinse with cool to cold water.
4. lastly i took my rag and went in between the parts to get any lasting shampoo or conditioner that may have been left behind. i towel dried my hair (yea yea bad girl... ill get a microfiber towel for the next wash day) and went off to moisturize
5. i sprayed with the leave and oiled my scalp and hair. I oiled my scalp directly and then pouring some oils into my hands and rubbing it along the lengths of my hair. i saw this done in Jenell's video and she said that since that part of the hair was older and still exposed in someway despite being in a protective style it still needed to be moisturized as well. I thought about taking it a step further and finishing but with a C but that was too much

There was no set way in how i washed it. At one point it was all down (like the chick from the grudge) while i sprayed it. another point it was all in my fist stretched away from my head while i rinsed it witrh the applicator bottle sans spout. i was not trying to get it all wet since i had somewhere tp go later and had no dryer at home.

Funny how im trying to take care of my braids in the last two weeks when i havent been doing so well to begin with. All i know is i wont be doing box braids again. ill stick to twists (Marley, Havana, Senegalese, yarn) and loc extensions, 

Oooooh and i measured my new growth (like i really sat down at my desk at work with a ruler measuring it) but any who i measured 1 in. of growth in the four weeks that iv had the braids in.

But yea my wash routine all without completely soaking my hair all the way through. Simple for these short term styles nad not you know months at a time (which i cannot do). All i know is im starting to miss my fro but in this cold ass NYC weather im good rocking it out only for a week or two at a time, well now at least.

Whats your protective style(s) for the winter or cold weather months?

A.Soul

Face Time: Freeman Mask

I got into the Freeman Masks after watching Jenell of KinkyCurlCoilyMe on IG and again with Sunshine of Sunshines Natural & loving it. After hearing them rave about it i decided to go research and look for the ones that would work best with my skin.

I have combination/oily skin. Like when i wake up my face is dry but after cleansing and throughout the day it gets really oily so much so that it bothers my eyes a lot. Hence why i stopped wearing makeup (among other reasons) since i would always be rubbing my eyes. I did start blotting throughout the day but i needed something in my skin care line that would help. 

As you all know from my last face time post with the ACV and ABS mishap, i switched to Carols Daughter Acai Clarifying line. After a trying it in one of their workshops and seeing the immediate effects that ti had on my skin. I was hooked. I bought the line and was impressed with the results. And combined with the Freeman Purifying Acai clay mask my skin was in heaven. i love the light berry scent of the clay mask and the fact that it goes on really smooth. It doesnt over dry or irritate my skin. And i highly recommend it to others with really oily skin like myself.


Recently stopping into a beauty supply store i say the Freeman Feeling Beautiful Polishing mask, made with Charcoal and Black Sugar. I was like oh shit they have it. I first heard about it when i bought my first set of clay mask and it was still in the promotional phase. So i was like heck yea $5 well spent with this buy!

And it was.

This mask is a dual one. Its a mask but works as a scrub as well. Now if any of you have tried a brown sugar scrub with the large crystals then you know its a bit of a pain to rub in. But this not so much. You smooth it on first, leave for 5-7 minutes and then scrub it in before washing off with cool water. Unlike with other masks or scrubs you dont have to worry about missing any spots since the sugar dissolves  once the water touches it.

When i say i love this mask. I pretty much use it almost everyday! Its that good. With these three products my skin is brighter - has a bit of a glow to it, less oily, and smooth =)

Have you tried and Freeman masks? If so, whats you're favorite?

A.Soul

Urban Decay Naked Palette Giveaways

Now im not really big on wearing makeup... at least in the everyday but i did start off that way during my freshman year of college. it was just eye shadow then. then it switched up into using eye liner and finally mascara. after a while it died down on the eye shadow and them it was just mascara and eye liner. i did a fashion show at my school once and we had to bring in our own makeup. so i went to sephora bought Korres liquid foundation (which seems to have been discontinued!) and learned how to apply it myself for futre reference. After a while i just stopped altogether wearing makeup. only bringing it out for special occasions. like new years, weddings, photo shoots, and some parties/events. last year i got into lipsticks; some pinks, reds, purples, and browns. i stick with those colors. i like to make my attractive features pop such as my eyes and lips.

The reason why im bringing this up is that i came across a few giveaways for the urban decay naked palettes a few days ago. I like the palettes although im more for darker colors i love neutral tones as well.



1. Confessions of a Shopaholic: http://confessionsofasecretshopper.blogspot.com/2014/01/giveaway-urban-decay-naked-3-palette.html
my only thing with this is that she asks for way too much shit in the rafflecopter. im good with following on google, fb, ig, twitter n subscribing but everything else!... c'mon chick be reasonable!

2. Catherines Loves http://www.catherinesloves.co.uk/2013/12/urban-decay-naked-3-palette-giveaway.html Hers is reasonable for the rafflecopter, simple and all the shit i already use!

3. Lana Loves That: http://www.lanalovesthat.com/2014/01/urban-decay-naked-palette-12-or-3.html hers i actually promoted on tumblr since she was looking for 100 subscribers on YT before the giveaway could start. And shes not just giving away NP3, but palettes 1 &2 as well!



4. Elle  Sees: http://ellesees.blogspot.com/2013/12/urban-decay-naked-palette-3-giveaway.html The one giveaway where im not signed into twitter everyday for more entries lol

5. Almost forgot about this one International Collaboration Giveaway http://linkis.com/glitterandgorgeous.com/SMC8 only cause its another one that asks for an arm and leg in entries

6. And heres another: From Beauty Fiends: http://www.beautyfiends.net/urban-decay-naked-3-review-giveaway/ 

Although im not big on makeup my mom is and im mostly trying for her, But im slowly getting back into wearing it myself. but if anyone is interested in winning join in.

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A.Soul

"Say Something, I'm Giving Up on You..."

I think its a sign! Having Pandora play and this song randomly comes on

"Say something, I'm giving up on you.

I'll be the one, if you want me to.

Anywhere, I would've followed you.

Say something, I'm giving up on you.

And I am feeling so small.

It was over my head

I know nothing at all.

And I will stumble and fall.

I'm still learning to love

Just starting to crawl.

Say something, I'm giving up on you.

I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you.

Anywhere, I would've followed you.

Say something, I'm giving up on you.

And I will swallow my pride.

You're the one that I love

And I'm saying goodbye.

Say something, I'm giving up on you.

And I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you.

And anywhere, I would have followed you.

Oh-oh-oh-oh say something, I'm giving up on you.

Say something, I'm giving up on you.

Say something..."

Now for all of you trying to let someone go, and they are making no effort for you to stay, this song says a lot. 

I think i'll leave it on repeat for while.. Josue, im giving up on you, say something

Photo Challenge & Giveaway

Technically started yesterday but it didnt really occur to me to post and share with you guys.

But as you can see Tribe Called Curl (@tribecalledcurl) & Karen's Body Beautiful (@KarensBeautiful) is teaming up for the month of January for this giveaway. Each week there will be winners, who will receive a KBB product. And also at the end of the photo challenge, once lucky winner will win a years supply off KBB products!

Now who can so no to that!

So all you IG'ers out there join the #TribeBeautiful photo challenge

2014: NO RESOLUTIONS

I dont need resolutions for the new year, i know what im doing, how im going to go about doing it, and what i want to achieve in the end. 

I know i have character flaws but I've been  working on them all my life since i've acknowledged them and i will continue doing so as i get older. 

I'm working on growing as a person and achieving my dreams, i don't need resolutions just aspirations and goals.

Maybe you need a visual for what those goals are.. create a vision board. As i've seen with curls and mo & love brown sugar... these boards are helping you to see what you want to change for the new year.

I dont really care for them but they are useful. I just know ill end up getting lazy after a whiel and get back into my sedentary ways. So thats why im not making anything concrete. Im just gonna continue working in my own way towards my own fulfillment.

One thing is for sure. This money challenge will be conquered for 2014! Ill be working in reverse this time around lol