Feel Good Friday

"Life is too short to spend hoping that the perfectly arched eyebrow or hottest new lip shade will mask an ugly heart."

~Kevyn Aucoin 

Pumps by Miu Miu
Fragrances by Annick Goutal

Surviving Hair Loss | The Cause and Effects of Traction Alopecia

If you read my interview with KisforKinky, you'd know I have traction alopecia.  After years of relaxing, braiding, weaving and repeating the cycle over and over again,  my edges started to thin at the temples. I ignored it (or maybe I didn't even notice because I wore weaves and braids so much) that when I finally went to the dermatologist they told me it was nothing I could do to get my hair back.

What is Traction Alopecia: 

Traction alopecia is caused by pulling at the hair over a long period of time.  It most frequently occurs in our (kinky/coarse) hair, and the area most affected is the front and sides.  The use of thermal or chemical hair straightening, and hair braiding or weaving are examples of styling techniques that place kinky/coarse hair types at high risk for various "traumatic" alopecias. Cornrows, too, can cause this as well as thinning all over the scalp. The first signs are thinner and weaker hairs along the front and over the ears.

The key to stopping traction alopecia is detecting it early; if it has been going on for a long time, the hair follicles decrease in size and do not produce any more hairs. Hair styles that put unnecessary strain on the hair root must be changed for a more gentle hair style. If you suspect you may be vulnerable to traction alopecia please please please immediately to change your hair style or practices  and by all means, GO see a dermatologist NOW.

Hair transplants (or hair grafts) are an option for treating  traction alopecia. This is a surgical procedure that move individual hair follicles from one part of the body (the donor site) to bald or balding parts (the recipient site). Its said to take up to a year for the bald areas to completely fill in and the follicles work like brand new allowing hair to grow the way it does throughout the rest of your head.

As for me and my alopecia:
Contrary to what dermatologists told me, I believe I am making progress... slow, very slow... but progress none the less. I have stopped abusing my hair and now practice healthy hair care. I also massage my temples with Vitamin E oil daily to increase blood circulation in those areas. Since I know better, I do better and I will continue to teach my anyone who will listen to do better so they won't have to experience the lost of their crown and glory at such a young age.

DIY Beauty | Nightly Lip Exfoliate

After looking around for a great lip scrub and spending too much money on products that didn't work well, I experimented until I came up with this recipe. The best thing is that the ingredients are ones that are already in the kitchen! This scrub makes your lips silky smooth.

What you'll need: 
2 tbsp Sugar
2 tsp Sweet Almond Oil
2 tsp Grapeseed Oil
2 tsp Vitamin E Oil
2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

Mix all ingredients together until it forms a thick paste, transfer mixture to a container. Use nightly before going to bed. When you wake up, your lips will feel heavenly.

About the ingredients: 
Sweet Almond Oil; acts as an emollient to keep your lips soft and smooth all day
Grapeseed Oil; hydrates, and delivers skin loving nutrients to your lips.
Meadowfoam Oil; is choked full of moisturizing essential fatty acids
Vitamin E Oil; smooths, softens and protects lips from harsh environmental element.
Sugar; acts as a natural humectant, drawing the moisturizing properties of the oils into your skin, sugar also gently exfoliates your skin, leaving your lips soft and smooth.

*Ingredients can be found at most local heath food stores or supermarkets. 

Photo source

My Natural Hair Journey

A Little Spring Time Inspiration!

I am so ready for the warm weather!

Photo sources

Feel Good Friday

"Beauty is about perception, not about make-up. I think the beginning of all beauty is knowing and liking oneself. You can't put on make-up, or dress yourself, or do your hair with any sort of fun or joy if you're doing it from a position of correction."

~Kevyn Aucoin 

Crewnecks & Scoopnecks by Topshop
Mules & Clogs by Camilla Skovgaard

 

Unnecessary Evil: Hyperpigmentation

As if dealing with huge mountain sized zits isn't traumatizing enough, the after-math of such zits are far worst than the zit itself. Yes I'm speaking about dark spots also known as Hyperpigmentation. If you had a chance to read my skin woes then you know that I am no stranger to acne.  I dealt with it as a tween, teen and grown-ass woman but what I've grown to realize its not necessarily the pimple that I loathe (they are usually gone within a week) its the dark spots that are left behind to remind me of the pimple for months on in. Of course I wouldn't dare pop the pimple as a matter of fact I would avoid it like the plague but once the inflammation went away I was still left with a "friend".  

During one of my many visits to the dermatologist, I was able to gain a better understanding of this common skin condition. After being told "only time will fade the scars" I learned about the causes, effects and treatments that can help fade spots faster.  

Hyperpigmentation is a condition that is caused by an increase in the skin’s melanin production. Melanin is the pigment that gives color to skin and hair. Unfortunately, due to the high levels of melanin in our skin, individuals of color are highly susceptible to this common plight; the darker the skin, the more prone to discoloration an individual will be.

There are many factors that will trigger or intensify the appearance of dark spots and scarring. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a direct result of acne. PIH is a discoloration that occurs following an inflammatory wound to the skin; this can include pimples, cuts, burns, picking, etc. When such a trauma takes place, skin cells are automatically triggered to regenerate and produce melanin in order to heal the wound. But the result is typically excessive levels of pigment that surpass the intensity and lifespan of the original spot. Aside from acne, certain drugs and antibiotics can also cause hyperpigmentation, as well as cosmetic procedures like laser hair removal and microdermabrasion. It’s important to note that dark spots are triggered, and extremely intensified, by direct exposure to sunlight as well. Thus, lack of sunscreen use will only make matters ten times worst.

There are both natural and chemical treatments for hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is not permanent so dark marks will eventually fade but this can be a very lengthy process. Natural solutions such as glycolic acid, cocoa and shea butters and Vitamins A/C/E are great for targeting marks because they heal damaged cells.

Another popular option is a chemical lightening agent called Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is available in varying potencies, typically 1-2% (over-the counter) or 3-4% (by prescription only). It works by blocking the enzymes responsible for melanin production. Thus, it should only be applied directly to the dark spots (otherwise, you will be lightening your regular skin as well). It is strongly advised that products with hydroquinone be used at night, as they can have reverse effects when exposed to sunlight; spots will actually become darker. Even once the creams have soaked into the skin overnight, sunscreen is an absolute must. It is very important that races with darker complexions also protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

For me, my previous accutane treatment and clarisonic helps keep breakouts and hyperpigmentation at bay. I still get random flair ups that leave the dreaded 'dark marks' but I just dab vitamin E oil to help speed the fading process and I WEAR AN SPF 45 MOISTURIZER EVERY-SINGLE-DAY {Aveeno Positively Radiant}!

Here are some products you can to try to rid your skin of hyperpigmentation and help achieve flawless skin: 

• Ambi Even and Clear Targeted Mark Minimizer {ambiflawlessskin.com}
• Vitamin E Oil {puritanspride.com}
• Fellow blogger Glamour Puss swears by Clinique Even Better Clinical: Dark Spot Corrector {sephora.com}
• Black Opal Dual Complex Fade Gel {amazon.com}
• Palmer's Scar Serum {drugstore.com}

Do you have issues with hyperpigmentation? What do you use to help fades the 'dark spots'? 

Photo source

Revive Your Makeup With a Few Simple Steps

I'm going to be honest with y'all, I usually do not touch-up my makeup throughout the day nor do I carry a makeup bag. However, there are times when we have an after-five event to attend leaving us very little time to freshen up in between. Below are a couple of steps to take you from looking like you've been in and out of meetings all day to fresh out of a MUA's chair.

Remove shine: Use blotting paper (or if you're like me a paper towel) to remove any oil that may have found a home on your skin throughout out the day.

Eyeliner check:  Remove any smeared eyeliner or mascara from the eye area with a cotton swab and a little moisturizer. Dip a cotton swab in a dollop of moisturizer and gently remove any liner or mascara with your swab. Using the moisturizer helps remove the product  without breaking down the foundation/concealer underneath it.

Creased eyeshadow?: If your eyeshadow has creased, blot eyes with a clean sponge (or if your like me a paper towel) removing any oil from the lid. Reapply a small amount of shadow to the eyes and be sure to blend.

Reapply Powder: Reapply pressed or translucent powder as needed to mattify oil prone areas of your skin. You can also lightly touch-up your blush but only if needed. 

Revive those lips: Revive your lip color by simply adding a bit of gloss or completely remove your lipstick/gloss, moisturize your lips, then reapply your lip liner, lipstick and/or lip gloss. I'd go for the latter.

Finishing Spray: Lightly spray your face with your favorite finishing spray for a natural glow.

Cheers!

[photo source]

Outfit Post | I Smile...

The days leading up to today have been rough; long sleepless nights, missing my grandfather, thoughts about picking up and moving my life back to Pennsylvania, and loneliness. Today makes a full year since my grandfather left us. I have never experienced a death that affected me so much, to the point where I could no longer mask the pain. I can be a very stoic person, its never been easy for me to express how I'm feeling or talk about what I'm going through but when I was in what felt like my darkest hour my boyfriend read these bible verses to me:

Daniel 10:8-12 NIV 
^"8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. ⁹ Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.
 ¹⁰ A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. ¹¹ He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. ¹² Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them."  

Today is a warm and sunny day the opposite of the cold and cloudy day we buried my Pop-pop. In memory of him I promise to smile all day and be thankful for his life and mine. He lived a full life and touched many. I can hear him telling stories and laughing now.

Feel Good Friday

"I smile easily, knowing that of all the things I wear, a smile and good humor are the most important. Life’s most prized possession is a pleasant disposition."

~Unknown

Shorts by Topshop
Boots by Fendi