Review: The WAH Nails Book of Downtown Girls

When I got the email to review The WAH Nails Book of Downtown Girls (book2) I was excited. I am a true fan of nail art and WAH Nails has not failed me yet.

Book 2 is a little more in depth than book 1. It gives more tips on how to be a successful blogger to what you should have in your nail kit. Book 2 does still offer step by step instructions on how to create their nail arts.

How easy are these nail art to recreate, I am by no means an expert and I can recreate them. Of course they are not as good as the WAH Nail girls themselves, but they I like them.

As much as I am obsessed with WAH Nails, I am a little disappointed that they are solely based out of the UK. Yes, they are a UK based company which means all their supplies are based there too and last I checked they weren't shipping to the US. Oh did I mention supplies? Yes, WAH Nails has available (to my UK readers) nail art pens/paint, sticker sheets(which some are included in book 1) t-shirts, nail wraps and of course book 1. Book 2 will be available to order worldwide on September 10th, but I am going to give you a sneak peak inside book 2 as well as which of the nail arts I am currently wearing.

Review: Agadir Aragon Oil

I was sent about a week ago, some products from the Agadir line. Now I had never used this line prior to receiving these products. It may not be a new product line for some, but it is to me. So lets get right into this review.

Hair: Shea Moisture

Let's just go on record to say that I am loving all things (at least what I have tried) Shea Moisture. I am trying two new products, not new to the line, new to me. This is not gonna be a review as much as it is me talking about what I like about these products. *PRODUCTS WERE PURCHASED WITH MY OWN MONIES.*

The first product is Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Foaming Milk & Body Wash. This stuff is the bomb. A little goes a long way. It gives good lather and the smell is good. No it doesn't smell like Play Do if you were wondering. I haven't tried it in the tub as a foaming milk bath, only in the shower and this is my new thing. I had been back on bar soaps since coming home from Basic, up until then I had use body wash, but all we could have, all the PX sold was bar. After trying the bar version of this I was done with my old bar soap. But this body wash, I am done with bar soap period. Yes it is that good, that I won't go back to bar soap. It leaves my skin soft and it feels moisturized. I purchased this at Walgreens for $9.99, but I think it was on sale two for something, I can't remember.

The second product is Shea Moisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo. I had been eye balling this shampoo for a minute so I FINALLY decided to buy it. I don't know why, but I was kind of worried it would have some kind of smell that wasn't right, but to my surprise it didn't. The scent was very pleasant. This is a sulfate free shampoo. I always love when a sulfate free shampoo gives you suds like a sulfate shampoo. I know some females worry about cleansing, they associated suds with cleansing. You don't need suds to get clean hair, but if you're looking for a sulfate free shampoo that will lather up then this is your product. My hair felt clean, it didn't feel stripped or dried out. I will say that if you are expecting a thick creamy shampoo, then this is not your stop. Again, I do believe this was on sale. But regular price is $9.99 which at bad for such a great product.

Overall, I have been very happy so far with all of the Shea Moisture products that I have tried. I do intend to try all the other products in the line.

10 Tips To Healthy Hair In 2013

EXCITING! My first guest post. Today's post comes from registered herbalist for Hair Essential, Paulina Nelega.

Are you looking to grow your hair longer this year? Or maybe you’ve always wanted thicker, shinier, more lustrous locks? You can be successful in achieving healthy hair in 2013, with these ten tips!

1      Eat smart! A fresh, whole-food diet is your foundation for beautiful hair. It’ll keep your scalp healthy and nourish your follicles with the nutrients they need for growing thicker, stronger hair, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids:

●  High-quality protein: provides essential amino acids for building stronger hair. Healthy suggestions: beans and legumes; cold-water fish (salmon, halibut, mackerel, sardines); lean poultry; eggs; yogurt; quinoa; hemp seeds and other seeds; nuts and nut butters.

●  Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs): from wild salmon and other cold-water fish, along with a daily omega-3 supplement.

●  Colored fruits and vegetables: eat a full spectrum of colors for a wide array of antioxidants and micronutrients.

●  Avoid processed and ‘fast foods’: these can cause inflammation in your body, including the hair follicles.

         

2      Keep your body hydrated. Pure water, herbal teas, and green tea are all great choices.

3      Use a water filter/softener in your shower to remove chlorine and hard minerals that can build up on your hair, leaving it dull and lifeless.

4      Avoid overwashing, overstyling, and overprocessing. Try washing your hair every-other-day, instead of every day. If you blow dry your hair, keep the heat setting on low, and the nozzle at least 6 to 8 inches from your scalp.

5      Use the best quality hair products (you can afford). Harsh detergents can strip your hair of its natural oils, and chemicals are damaging to the hair and follicles.

6      Give yourself a scalp massage before showering. This will exfoliate old cells, get waste byproducts out to the surface for removal, and invigorate your scalp with fresh, oxygen-rich blood.

7      Use a wide-toothed comb to gently detangle your hair after washing it.

8      Choose the right brush for your hair type. Natural bristles help smooth down the outer cuticle of hair and distribute your scalp’s protective oils evenly.

9      Indulge your scalp and hair with a weekly hot oil treatment. Try coconut oil, Morrocan argan oil, shea butter—or a combination!

10    Get moving! Even a little exercise improves circulation to the scalp, providing fresh oxygen and nutrients and removing waste buildup.

With these ten tips, 2013 will be your year for healthy hair!

Paulina Nelega is a registered clinical herbalist for Hair Essentials and has been assisting individuals facing hair loss for almost two decades. Hair Essentials is a breakthrough proprietary blend of more than 20 herbs, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids and other nutrients. Hair Essentials can only be purchased online at www.HairEssentials.com or by calling 800-536-9353.

Hair: Organix Revisited (First Impression Review)

I haven't used the Organix brand since I've been relaxer free and it will be three years this summer. It was one of the first conditioners I tried. It was the Coconut Milk conditioner and I remember using it as a co-wash and not liking the results, incidentally, that is what put me off to co-washing until recent.

Anyways, I was online looking for different hair products, mainly rinse out conditioners and concluded that I would just stay in the Tresemme family. So how'd I end up with Organix, well that is because no Walgreens or Walmart sold this specific Tresemme conditioner, so I remembered that my cousin tried this conditioner and loved it so I said what the hell, I'll give it a try.

The following thoughts & opinions are mine and mine alone....

Books: The Honor Series

This is a review of The Honor Series by Teresa Mummert so far. There are currently three books released in this series with the fourth one set to release August 15th, 2013. I went on Amazon looking for something similar to Fifty Shades/Crossfire and ended up finding this series and fell in love.

Natural Hair Rant

Ok, so here is where I am on this natural hair situation. I was watching a vlogger on YT and as I was watching I just happen to scroll some of the comments. She (the vlogger) had responded to a comment about how she no longer refers to herself as “natural” because there are all these so-called rules you must follow in order to be considered a natural. So some hating ass female decided to take it personal go in on how the vlogger was mad cause people were commenting on her heat damaged hair. Mind you these vlogger has some beautiful hair.

What pisses me off is the fact that this natural hair community is full of haters. Not saying all naturals, but a great deal of them. Going natural is a personal decision. How can you make up rules for the next female’s hair. Just cause she can use product a, b and c and still have healthy hair and you can only use product “a” doesn’t mean hate.

I know FOR A FACT that you do NOT have to follow these natural hair rules in order to have healthy hair. Not only do I know from my personal experience, I have the photos to prove it. My hair has never had a growing problem. I’ve always had strong hair. Do I consider myself natural, according to the natural hair bylaws, no. I am relaxer free. Besides, I don’t associate myself with haters and people who want to do nothing but make people feel bad, and a lot of females within the natural hair community do just that.

Yes ma’am I use color (not henna), I flat iron my hair more then twice a year, I use sulfate shamps, I use cones. And what…? Because all your products are organic and mine aren’t your somehow better then me? When in for real life my hair is probably healthier then yours.

The purpose of this rant was to get off my chest the fact that life, for real life, is simply to damn short to be worried about the next chicks hair. Yes you can grow healthy hair with a relaxer, Ive done it. Yes you can have healthy hair without using 100% organic products, I have it. Get out somebody else’s life and get your own.

…and end rant.

B.