Another Year, Another Celebration!

I wish all of these gifts belong to me! Oh how I miss the days when i got nothing but Barbie dolls and Nintendo games!

But I would like to wish all of you a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY HOLIDAY! May this day be full of joy, happiness and love!!!

Be safe everyone!!!!

Straying Away pt. 2

So, here's my "straying away" update on maintaining my locks...

Again, this post has been lying around "un-posted" thanks to blogger for making all of my drafts magically disappear...and then miraculously re-appear...'

Using a latch hook or crochet hook in your locks is HARD WORK!!

Real talk. I have put a lot of muscle into pushing these stray hairs through my locks and boy does it give me a workout.  I didn't even bother finishing! That video from Youtube I posted made the process look so easy...had me all excited that I would finish this in a bout a day or two.

And when did I do that post? 

Since it has been a couple of months, I have noticed that there are more stray hairs appearing which is causing my hair to look like a hot mess, AGAIN. It looks okay for now, partly because I just washed and twisted it. But if I leave my hair alone for a week or two, the whole crazy-bedhead-phase will return which will result in me having thoughts of cutting my locks OFF. I haven't had the time to play around with my hair so just this past weekend I actually managed to crochet the locks closer to the front of my head...I won't really pay too much attention to those in the back (or will I?)

One thing I definitely need to do, and I know it would prevent more stray hairs from appearing, is to stop playing with my hair! I have a habit of playing with my hair when I am studying, and when I am bored. I haven't done much studying since I graduated from university...but for job interviews, I have to study the job spec. When I try to memorize something, my hands naturally gravitate towards my scalp, looking for a lock to constantly twist. And no, tying my hair doesn't stop my hands from playing with them. Right now, I just stick to the criss-cross look that I previously found on youtube. And since this style can loose out easily, my hands know to stay away...until the next study session....

No discipline, I tell you.

I just took this picture- and now I see that the colour definitely faded. It's been almost 4 months (already?!) since I coloured my locks black. Time to try something new, no?

I'll keep latchin' on...

Ready, Set, Restart?

This post is a couple of weeks late- but I will post it as is.



Since my 26th birthday past last weekend, I have been doing a lot of thinking, just thinking of everything as a matter of fact.


But one particular day, as I was looking in the mirror, I stared thinking to myself, “I wonder if I should just cut these locks off”




....




Wait a minute, cut off my locks? I must be mad.



Ah lie!


But I was thinking about it, and I'm still seriously thinking about the big chop. Why? Its not like I don't want to have locks anymore, I love how they look on me. However, I feel the need for a big change in my life, start afresh and re-create a new journey. I want to feel excited for the locking process all over again.


I want to start 2010 with a whole new perspective on things (I say that every year). That "new perspective" kind of started recently, because starting this Monday, I will be in a new position at work!!

Fast forward 3 weeks….


As I approach the ending of my 3rd week on the job, I’m still thinking about that big chop. Just to hear other’s opinions about my decision I decided to post a little something on my Facebook page, and boy did I get some WORDS- on Facebook and in person. One person said that she regretted every time she cut her locks….and I should keep them because I would have the same feeling if I actually did it.


I posted something last year about the big chop where I was wondering why someone would cut off something many of us see as beautiful.


I’m starting to see some of the reasons…. I don’t spend as much time as I used to, playing around with my hair, trying to come up with hairstyles or regimens to keep my locks looking cute. As I find myself busier by the day, I find that I have grown impatient with the simplest things pertaining to my locks. It doesn’t look as neat as it used to and I have way too many stray hairs.


So when I see my hair on a “hot mess” day, I get the temptation to grab a pair of scissors and just cut them off- especially the thick ones. I can’t stand seeing my hair in a mess. I know I should give my hands a break and see a Loctician, but when there’s money in the bank, there’s no time. And when there’s time, I’m broke. I haven't had the time to look for hairstyles for locks so I am always stuck just keeping my sometimes-mop-head down or just have it in a ponytail. I haven't had the time to even wear my hear curly! I haven't done that since October!


Simply put, I have a serious brain fart when it comes to doing my hair now.


If I do decide to cut my locks and start over, I would want to make them smaller and more uniform. But then again, I think of the first weeks of my lock journey and I found that one of the most TRYING of times...so I really need to reassess my thoughts of starting afresh.




Knowing me, these thoughts are just a phase....a LONG phase. I'm more than sure that I can find another goal to reach in 2010. I just don't like being bored.

That's my random rant for now. I shall return. Have a good weekend ya'll

My face is NOT a mirror...the Clinique challenge

I'm still alive...just been very busy these days....this new job has my head going in circles so I haven't had the time to blog @ work

Maybe you guys noticed, maybe you didn't but I do tend to have that added SHINE from time to time. 


Shine meaning my face- sometimes it's like I'm sweating crisco or something....just kidding.


It seems as if whatever moisturizer I use in the morning causes my T-zone to literally overreact by the time lunchtime hits. And I'm pretty tired of buying oil absorbing blotting papers/blot powder to keep this shine at a minimum. As you can see in the picture, the blot paper literally took a BEATING...I go through at least 3 papers every time I want to clear the excess oil off of my face...


This poor face of mine is working in overtime.





I went shopping in Buffalo last weekend with my ladies and one also suffers from skin problems, but she has a lot of breakouts. So the both of us decided to find something simple that would alleviate, or better yet, resolve our problems. We ended up at the Clinique counter inside Macy's and spoke with a consultant about the products that can cater to our needs. The first thing the consultant noticed about me is my T-zone. She asked what kind of moisturizer I use on my face and I told her that I use the Aveeno Positively Radiant moisturizer with SPF.


Apparently I am not supposed to be using those types of moisturizers because they contain a lot of oils and it pretty much adds more fuel to the fire- hence more OIL. The consultant recommended that I should try moisturizers that are gel-based, like their Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. To complete the 3-step process, I was also advised to use the Clarifying Lotion 3 (the toner comes in three levels for those who don't know) which targets combination to oily skin. For the cleanser, the consultant said I should use the Liquid Facial Soap for oily skin...


This is not my first time trying  Clinique products. I occasionally use the Even Better Skin Tone Corrector to help fade the marks on my skin, due to hyperpigmentation and scarring from breakouts and scars and it's done a pretty good job in fading those marks. I'm glad that I didn't buy the skin tone corrector lotion because I would have another grease party on my face....and I'm so trying to avoid that!!!!!


After speaking to the Clinique consultant, I decided to buy the set and start my own Clinique challenge. Instead of 30 days, I have chosen 60, partly because of the harsh winter weather that has started so I'm guessing it will take my skin a longer time getting used to the new products. So I need to take before and after photos of myself to see if there has been a positive change with my skin. I'm kind of excited because Clinique has been getting rave reviews on all of their products and I am being very optimistic about this. I should name this the No More Greaseface project instead. Or even Grease, Be Gone. Better yet, Ehh Shineface! GWEH! GALLANG YUH WAY!


Ok that's enough. Getting to excited here. All I want is a matte face. That's all. If it doesn't work, then I guess the search will continue. But like I said, I'm optimistic. This may be my third challenge for the year, but I can say that I have stuck to them. I still stay away from the Tim Horton's (or Timmy Ho's for you guys in Buffalo- LOL) French Vanilla Cappuccino, and I still exercise on a regular basis (3-5 times a week!!). This Clinique challenge will be a piece of cake!


This challenge will be from December 12, 2009 to February 10, 2010. Let's just hope Old Man Winter does not ruin the process!!!


Let the challenge begin!

I guess some people didn't pay attention in their History class

This article may have come two weeks late...but I guess it's better late than never. This morning on my way to work, I was reading the newspaper and I came across this article about four white undergrads in blackface, and a black one in whiteface. Their reason: to go as the Jamaican Bobsled team for Halloween. I'm pretty sure that these individuals didn't mean any harm when they thought of this, afterall, Cool Runnings is a Disney favourite amongst plenty, including myself, I admit (*I see PRIDE, I see POWER, I see a BAD ASS mudda who don't take no crap off of NOBODY!*) *ahem* According to the Toronto Star, these University of Toronto undergrads

"wore brightly coloured tracksuits, one dreadlocks wig and Jamaican flag T-shirts. Oh, and face paint: for the black student, posing as the coach played by John Candy, thick white clown makeup. For the white students, brown foundation slightly darker than George Hamilton's self-tanner."

Even though these boys may seem to think that they have mastered the greatest costume of all time, what they didn't seem to think of is the drama and negative reaction that would stir after this Halloween night. I agree with the Star when they say that Halloween is "exuberantly tastless"...for I have seen plenty of costumes, like a Terrorist, a man violating a poor sheep, and a poo$$y magnet. For those who actually like those ideas, you can find some of them here...lordhavemercy.




 Anyways, what these individuals didn't seem to take note of is the sensitivity that still lingers with people in blackface. What they may or may not be aware of are the Minstrel shows that used to play up until the 1960s.These minstrel shows "lampooned black people in mostly disparaging ways: as ignorant, lazy, buffoonish, superstitious, joyous, and musical". These shows displayed a horrible representation of African Americans and for those who had to tolerate those shows would not like to be reminded of it in 2009. While reading the comments that came with this article in the Star, some found it a complete mockery of the dark past, while some doesn't understand why people would make a big stink out of something so harmless. The Black Students' Association at the University of Toronto held a meeting about this issue, and about 250 people showed up wanting to discuss the Halloween costumes and the history behind the all of it. I learned that the five individuals were present at this meeting and had written a formal apology to those who found the costumes offensive. 




 Do you find these costumes offensive? Or do you find it as something harmless? 




 I asked some friends at work about the whole thing and one replied saying "I have mixed feelings about it too. I see why people are upset by it but at the same time I don't think it's that big of a deal. They should have known that costume choice would offend people. They probably figured because they have a black guy in white face paint it somehow justified it. " 




 Another co-worker said that people need to chill out and relax, for its Halloween for crying out loud. She also commented on how the black guy should have used some other kind of makeup because he looked too chalky :-)




In my opinion, I feel that these men should have thought twice about wearing these costumes. If it weren't for the history of Blackface and the Minstrel shows, then this would have been one hilarious costume. But that is not the case here...what this has cause people to do is reminisce on things they wished were permanently in their past, for its history brought an abundnace of shame amongst the people of colour. I can understand that it is halloween, and anything goes, people will definitely be talking differently if they decided to just wear dreadlock wigs and tams. But they brought back some bad memories for many people...and as a courtesy for those who spend their lives trying to rise above (notice the irony- this song is in Cool Runnings) the stereotypes that people of colour face on a daily basis, it's best that those who are thinking of dressing in blackface keep that makeup deep in their closet. While I'm still on the topic of skin colour, I want to talk briefly about what I have recently heard and seen about famous baseball player Sammy Sosa... Have you seen him lately? hmmm....


Below are three photos....it has been said that Sosa has been using skin bleaching cream to lighten his skin...The before and after photos make it look like he sufferes from vitiligo like the late Michael Jackson. I was reading the article about him on Examiner.com and this author wrote that Sammy's explanation of his sudden ligthened skin was indeed from the skin cream he uses that softens his face which has in turn lightened his skin. Also, if he has used a form of skin conditioning, dermal abrasion, which is the rubbing away of that very top skin layer to reveal younger skin underneath, then a side effect will be to lighten a person's skin colour...  

According to the Chicago Tribune,

"He's not trying to be Michael Jackson," said former Cubs employee Rebecca Polihronis, who talks frequently with Sosa.

"He is going through a rejuvenation process for his skin," Polihronis said. "Women have it all of the time. He was surprised he came out looking so white. I thought it was a body double. Part of (the photo appearance) is just the lighting.

"He is in the middle of doing a cleansing process to his skin. The picture is deceiving. He said, 'If you saw me in person, you would be surprised. When you see me in person, it is not going to seem like the picture.'

"People who saw him in person did not react the same way. He can't believe it is such a big deal."

HOWEVER, I don't remember where I read this article, but earlier on in the week I read something about the real reason why Sammy Sosa decided to lighten his skin was that he could not deal with the stigma that he had to face being a Afro-Latin male. The latin community puts such a big emphasis on light skin, and he felt as if he needed to lighten his skin just to be accepted in this community. This makes me think that he's a victim of racism within a race...but this topic deserves another blog entry to be discussed about...definitely to be continued.

But I thought he was a big time baseball player- who cares what he looks like...light or dark. He's someone that many young athletes look up to, and he has made more money than many of the people who feel as if the lighter skinned individuals should get better treatment than the darker skinned.


What do you think of this dilemma? Is it really a dilemma?

Brrrrr!!!!

I was listening to itunes radio on Saturday and I heard a Stevie Wonder Christmas song. It was the last day of October and instead of hearing witches cackle and ghosts boo, I heard the sounds of sleigh bells ting-ting-ting-a-ling-ing. I know the recession has hit everyone hard but I feel as if this whole Christmas marketing came way too early. Last week I saw a Christmas tree at American Eagle and I freaked out. I didn't freak out at the fact that Christmas is somewhat around the corner....

I freaked out because I know I would have to get my winter gear ready ...





And to save my locks from drying out worse than drought in sub-saharan Africa ...





The cold weather can do a number on skin and hair and we all (men and women) must take the appropriate action to prevent ourselves from getting a dry, flaky scalp. The winter solstice may be a month and a half away, but head-to-toe protection is key to looking good for this upcoming cold season. To me, one or the other is not good enough, it has to be both.



It's time that I buy some new winter gear, especially hats and gloves since the heat leaves my head and hands first. I was checking out a fellow blogger's page (Carmennc, aka Tomoka's Twists) and noticed that she found a couple of cute head wraps on etsy.com. I found them quite fashionable. This looks like a toned-down version of the regular dreadlock Tams that I see people wear. I am not so much a fan of the Tam but with this hat you can either hide your locks in the extra space or just let it down and show it off.

But the most important thing is that you're protecting your scalp from the harsh weather, which will in turn prevent your scalp and roots from drying out.

Just the other day I went to a health food store (Noah's Natural Foods to be exact) during my lunch break to see if I could pick up some natural oils to moisturize my scalp, but before I did that, I checked out Motowngirl to see what kind of oils were good for my hair...me looking through MG gave me the idea of purchasing these oils. While looking through MG, I learned that there are two types of oils that I should be looking for, as well as being watchful of. The first type of oil is Essential Oils and the second is Carrier Oils:

According to Wikipedia, an Essential oil is an

" 'oil of' the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. An oil is "essential" in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. Essential oils do not as a group need to have any specific chemical properties in common, beyond conveying characteristic fragrances. "

Some examples of these essential oils are Chamomile, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Sweet Orange, Cedarwood and Jasmine

A Carrier Oil is

"also known as base oil or vegetable oil, is used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin in massage and aromatherapy. They are so named because they carry the essential oil onto the skin. Carrier oils do not contain a concentrated aroma, unlike essential oils ,though some, such as olive, have a mild distinctive smell. Neither do they evaporate like essential oils, which are more volatile"

Some examples of these carrier oils are Sweet Almond, Avocado, Jojoba, Coconut, Sesame, Grape Seed, and Papaya

There is a bit of a warning when it comes to using essential oils on the scalp...(from wikipedia)

"Because of their concentrated nature, essential oils generally should not be applied directly to the skin in their undiluted or "neat" form. Some can cause severe irritation or provoke an allergic reaction. Instead, essential oils should be blended with a vegetable-based "carrier" oil (a.k.a., a base, or "fixed" oil) before being applied."

So basically, you can only put an oil like Tea Tree oil into a carrier oil such as Almond Oil. How much? Well as per NappyKitchen,

when you mix your essential and carrier oils, as a general rule, use a one (1) drop essential oil per four (4) tablespoons of carrier oil. You don't want to put too much essential oils on your scalp or skin because it will be too harsh

(I know this first hand when it comes to tea tree oil... although this oil is good for clearing up blemishes, and cleaning piercings such as nose rings, too much can actually dry out and/or burn your skin)

What I didn't know enough about Essential and Carrier oils are the different grades that they are put in. On NK, it says that:

There are Four (4) Grades of Essential Oils:

Pure Essential Oils: This means that the oil was not diluted with a lesser quality essential oil. Be aware, however, that it could be 80% vegetable oil & 20% essential oil and still be labeled '100% Pure.'

Natural Essential Oils: This means that the oil was not altered with vegetable oils, SD Alcohol 40, propylene glycol, or other chemicals.

Complete Essential Oils: This means that the oil was distilled at low heat and low pressure in order to preserve its therapeutic properties. This means that the oil has not been rectified or purified (which means stripped or redistilled). Rectifying and purifying is like reusing a tea bag. It makes more tea, but the quality and potency suffers. This process decreases the essential oil's therapeutic properties.

Genuine, Authentic, or Grade A Essential Oils: These are the best of the best. Great care is taken at every step of the process. Chemicals are never used on the plants. Great care is taking in choosing each plant, time spent in the distillation process, harvesting process, gas chromatograph readings, etc. A gas chromatograph is a chemical analysis instrument used to separate chemicals.

Essential oil is also known as volatile oil and ethereal oil. They may also be referred to as "oil of" the raw plant material from which it was extracted. For example, Oil of Clove.

Do realize that fragrance oils and perfumes are not the same as essential oils.

After reading all of this, I headed to Noah's and bought a bottle of Avocado Oil and Sweet Almond Oil. I also bought myself an essential oil bottle with a dropper so I could easily apply the oils to my hair with the least amount of mess. I mixed the two oils, plus some liquid coconut oil that I have bought previously, then I added 2-3 drops of tea tree oil. I started to use this "concoction" in between washings so I wouldn't have to deal with an itchy scalp. I make sure that I don't put too much partly because of the loc butter I use to maintain my locks (I use either the Carol's Daughter Loc Butter, Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade, or Darcy's Botanicals Coconut Capuacu Pomade)...I'm not trying to have an oil-overload all at once. I have started this routine early so the transition wouldn't be so hard once the real cold weather hits.

But as of right now....my hair and scalp feels NICE! Not dry, not itchy...I like where this is going!

On top of that, I've been using Sulfate-Free shampoos when I wash my hair, which I find is working pretty well- my hair (especially around the front) is not breaking as much as it was prior to me using this type of shampoo. Now that more manufacturers are catching on to the sulfate-free business, the shampoos are getting cheaper in price (competition). My favourite shampoos are the Organix in Coconut Milk and Blended Beauty Soy Cream Shampoo.

So I'm on the road to having healthier locks...they are staying with me for a while so I need to continue to give them the tender loving care that they need. As I'm fast approaching my THIRD dreadiversary, I'm excited to see what 2010 will bring, what new styles I will discover, either on youtube, a magazine or the hair salon, but most of all I'm excited for the progress I will be making with them. But in the meantime, I will work to protect these locks by covering them up with a cute hat/toque like that picture posted above while I make my journey out into the cold Toronto winter weather; I will continue to moisturize and condition my hair so they won't over dry and I will definitely have fun doing so. Even though it is hard work, I enjoy every minute of it.

So every one of you, protect your head this winter....keep your scalp moisturized and your hair looking fly!!!

Easy.

Is it me???

Or is 50 Cent looking good these days?? I'm not a fan of him but he's doing it up with his new mature style....and he's got his own cologne now?? Nice.