Hair: BMarie's Favorite Inexpensive Haircare Products

If going natural has taught me anything it is that my hair is not as snobby as I thought it was. My naturally kinky curly hair does not need high end products to look and feel amazing, which is great cause we aint baller status over here. I used to use nothing but salon quality products which was fine when I was relaxed, but these same products didnt transition as well as my hair did.

H&M: The Hiring Process

Ok, I have been waiting to do this until I knew if I got the job or not. So obviously if I'm posting this it means I got the job. YAY!!!!! I am so excited.

During this whole process, I would look online to see if there was any information about the whole hiring process and while there was some, it wasnt detailed enough for me. So in an effort to help the next person who is inquiring about the process, I am explaining it in this post.

There were a total of three (maybe four) interviews. Confused? Let me explain:

The initial contact I had was over the phone. This is pretty much a phone screening that will either qualify you for the next step or not. The questions were basic, kind of vague. He wanted to know a little bit about my work history, nothing in detail at this point. After I answered his questions he set me up with the first face to face interview.

The first interview (or second) took place at a local bagel shop because our store has yet to open. I interviewed with a store manager and a recruiter. These questions were a bit more detailed. He (manager) went over my resume, he wanted to know why I wanted to work at H&M. I was asked to give examples of a time when I had to make a difficult decision. I had to give an example of when I gave great customer service. It was also at this interview where availability was talked about, wages were talked about. I read online that H&M likes open availability, which maybe be true, however I am not available all day Sunday and they were fine with that. I also had to feel out a background check form. I will assume (and I could be wrong) that this is a sign of the next step. I was then set up for yet another interview.

The second (or third) interview was with just a store manager (different from above). This interview was pretty much the same questions. She went a little more into detail about H&M. She informed me of the dress code, which is very relaxed, she interviewed me in jeans. She expressed how strongly H&M feels about personal style. After answering like I said, pretty much the same questions, going over availability and wage, she informed me that there would either be a email telling me that they've decided to go another way or I would get a call for the third interview/job offer. That would take like 2 weeks.

So after waiting two weeks, hoping and praying I don't get an email, I got the call on Monday that they wanted me to come in for the third interview/job offer.

The third (or fourth) interview wasnt really or at all a interview. We went over paper work and there was a lot. I signed my job offer paper. I got my Growth Guide which has everything you need to know about H&M in it. We went over training and since our store here will not be open until my birthday, my store training will be down in St. Louis.

Granted every store's process may vary, everybody's experience will be different. Thats why I didnt go over questions in depth. I can not tell you how excited I am to be a part of H&M. I might do a "day in the life of.." type series. I dont know just yet. I will however try to post sales, new items and such.

Again, this is just my experience and my views. 
  
*THIS POST IS THE PERSONAL OPINION OF B.MARIE AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWPOINTS OF H&M*
 
Official Start Date: 10/16/2012
New Store Opening: 11/15/2012

Next: H&M: Training

Hair: Motions Naturally You Hydrate My Curls Pudding

Ok, so you guys remember when I originally posted about the new product line from Motions for natural hair (click HERE).  That was back in March and I am just now trying a product from the line. The product that I am using is the Naturally You Hydrate My Curls Pudding. 

Before I get into my thoughts about the product, let me tell you a little about it and it's claims. Per the label on the product.

Significantly increases moisturization, curl definition, shine and strength of your natural hair.*

Hydrate My Curls Pudding This salon-tested light and fluffy styling pudding with shea butter, coconut and avocado oils, hydrates, elongates and lightly defines curls, while reducing frizz, leaving it feeling soft and looking vibrantly shiny and healthy.

Videos: Top 5 Natural Hair Youtube Vloggers

I love Youtube it was the first place I looked when I went natural two years ago. These vloggers have gotten me through a very tough time. I have so many subscriptions to different vloggers it is crazy and in no way am I saying this is a list of who I enjoy more then the next.

So, without further ado...

Taren916

photo credit: Taren916's Facebook

Naptural85

photo credit: Naptural85 Facebook

prettydimples01

photo credit: naturalshren

LexiWithTheCurls

photo credit: coilsandkinks

KIMMAYTUBE

photo credit: black girl with long hair

Like I said, this is in no way in order of my liking of these vloggers. To me they are all great in their own way.  Be sure to click the links and check out these vloggers videos.

Welcome Tayvian Austin

Today my godson decided to hurry up and make his grand entrance today! Weighing in at 6 lbs 14 oz 21 inches long is my beautiful godson, Tayvian Austin aka diddley doo. ***Kind of pic heavy***

Isnt he beautiful!!!! He has captured our hearts already and he is only a few hours old. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYVIAN!!!

Hair: Protective Style, Box Braids

Remember this? This is a look from my favorite movie Poetic Justice. I rocked the long box braids in the 8th grade, they were purple and black (yes I was all about colors then) and I loved them. Well it looks like the long box braids are back, Solange has made them popular again.

You may have seen the YT vids about the "Solange inspired" box braids. Ladies have been revisiting this look since Bey's "Party" video where Solange can be seen rocking her box braids out.

Whether you call them Poetic Justice, Patra or Solange inspired, they make a great protective style and I have been wanting to put some in my hair for a while. I have been going back and fourth and I've gotten mixed feelings in regards, but Im not a trend follower I just need to give my hair a break and this is such an easy way to do it. My deciding factor was a beautiful Tumblr page called I LOVE Box Braids. It is a tumblr page featuring some of the best photos of this style, be sure to check it out.

I will keep you posted on my box braids installment and such on my actual natural hair blog Love 4 Natural. So be looking out.

Hair: Pony Puff w/ Bangs

This is how I wore my hair today. A pony puff with bangs. I guess I shouldnt call this a "how to" because I am more then sure that you all know how to create a pony puff.

The thing with pony puffs is you want them to look full and big, well at least I do, and if your hair is fine like mine, it maybe a problem. But I have a solution.

Here is the quick and easy way to give the illusion of a big n full pony puff with fine hair.

I started with a day old dry twist out. I applied a mixture of Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothing & Curl & Style Milk to the bangs and did five twists and rodded the ends. I did this kind of early in the morning.

Next, I applied a little water around my edges, just so the gel would smooth better and not flake. I used Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel and went over my edges.

After that, I used bobby pins, not hair pins, to hold up the back and the sides ONLY. Do all your smoothing of your edges now.

I than used a regular stretchy head band w/o the metal and put it over the hair pins. This will also hold in place the front part of the puff.

Lastly, take the twist out the front. Play with your bangs until you get them to your liking. I pinned mine down and over.

 As thin/fine as my hair is, doing it this way gives me the full looking puff that I wanted. I wore it all day, I got a ton of compliments and the head band never slipped up. Here is a angled view of my puff. 

Here is a sideview.

Hope you like it! I think I have a new "go to" hairstyle.