Make-up Tutorial by Daphne

My beautiful boo thang, Daphne, is my go-to person for makeup. I'm not a makeup person; the most I wear is some concealer for a few blemishes. If the occasion fits, I might even do some mascara and eye shadow. But a full fledged face beat? Not my thing.

So when I decided that I wanted to do a makeup post, I knew I had to let Daphne step in on this one. I asked her for steps on eye makeup application and also on a full face of makeup.

Eye Makeup Application: Always start with a freshly cleansed face!
1. Shape/Clean up eyebrows
2. Apply eye shadow primer
3. Apply base
4. Eye shadow of choice
5. Eyeliner 
6.Mascara
7. Lashes (optional)

Full Face Application:

1. Apply lip moisturizer

2. Use primer or moisturizer as a base to make a barrier between your skin and the makeup

3. Apply corrector/concealer

4. Apply foundation or bb cream of choice

5. Contour and highlight under the eye with setting powder (optional)

6. Apply bronzer and blush

7. Set face with setting spray or powder

8.Apply lip liner (optional)

9. Apply lipstick or lip gloss of choice

Two YouTube vloggers she recommends for makeup tutorials:
MsCreativeDiva

Queenii Rozenblad

Thanks Daphne!

Please check out Daphne's Etsy page to buy her handcrafted hair accessories.

How I washed my kinky twist extensions

It's been almost two weeks since I got my kinky twists installed and it was time for a wash. I was noticing that my scalp was starting to itch. I know from past experience that although it would make it quicker and easier to just stand under the shower head to wash it, I then have to deal with the arduous task of getting the twists and my roots completely dry as to not cause any mildew or unattractive smell.

I started researching and found a method to just get my roots washed by using applicator bottles... GENIUS! I bought two from Sally's Beauty ($2.29/each) in one I put cold water and grapeseed oil and in the other I put warm water, shampoo, and tea tree oil.

I then divided my hair into four loose ponytails, allowing access to my roots while getting the twists out the way. I then clipped a towel around my neck just to catch any of  the excess water that may dribble down. I tried to make it as effortless as possible.

                         

Here is a picture of my scalp before I started, so you can see there's some flakes:

I then began applying the warm water/shampoo/oil mixture to my scalps and rubbing it in, creating a light lather. The reason for the tea tree oil is because it's an anti-fungal and antibacterial oil so it's perfect to use for a pre-poo (Not the greatest picture but you can see the slight lather, especially in the middle):

After doing that in all four sections I then used the other bottle with the cold water and grapeseed oil. Grapeseed oil is a great sealant for natural hair. So while the cold water cleansed and closed up the hair follicle, the grape seed oil locked in the moisture. Once it was completely cleared of the shampoo, I then blowdried my hair on low heat using my handheld dryer, allowing me to get close to the roots. Afterwards my head felt and looked amazing. This is an after picture, you can clearly see the difference: 

I then oiled my scalp with the Soultanical Scalp Oil I told you about in my previous post and that's how I washed my kinky twist extensions :)

I'm alive...I swear lol

I really hope everyone has been doing well. I know it's been just about a year since my last post. I loved posting but as crazy as it sounds, I got burned out. The last year for me has been crazy; I accepted a great job in my field and moved to Florida. Additionally, I've finished my Masters degree so actually have spare time in the evening and on the weekends (at least until college football season starts lol). I felt that it was naturally time to start blogging again.

Previously I think trying to blog a couple times a week was too much. My plan is to at least get one new post up a week. My posts will focus on (of course) natural hair but I will also be incorporating more health/beauty topics and maybe even bring in guest bloggers. I already have a few in mind I'd like to do.

So to start things off, I wanted to talk about two things today: protective styling and facial cleansers.

I did my third big chop back in October. I literally do one every other year. My hair grows crazy fast and super thick. I've done every style imaginable so after a while, I just love to chop it all off and start over. After almost 8 months of growth, I decided to get some kinky twists installed. It was tricky finding something to do it here in Tallahassee as there isn't a real big natural hair community. I had a younger girl install some rope twits a couple months ago but literally the same day they started falling out. I was super upset not so much about the money spent on it, but the time. That was 6 hours of wasted time that I could have been doing something else.

Well after looking around, I found a stylist on styleseat.com and I love her. She's very Afrocentric so we were able to talk about so many things that we had in common. Also, she was saying that she was installing the twists with a twisted root instead of the usually braided root that you usually see in kinky twists. I never knew that could be done but wow they turned out great! I've been using Soultanicals Platinum Scalp Oil ($8). It works really well and smells nice, not too strong

                 

 Now on the subject of facial cleansers. First let me say that I have combination skin but mainly oily and as a result, my skin seems to prone to breakouts. I have to wear sunscreen all year round just to protect it as much as possible. As I'm getting older I'm noticing more breakouts and I realized that I don't clean and tone my skin as I should.

I LOVE the Cream & Coco line. The creator and owner is a chemist and knows what she's doing. When I saw that she made skin products, I had to try them out. They're as natural as I've ever seen and I love that. So I've been using the Pink Grapefruit & Rosemary Botanical Cleansing Oil ($8.50) that draws the oil out of my skin while allowing moisture to stay in my skin. I follow up with Honey Butter Toning Moisturizer ($10.50) to help tone and gently close the pores. I use this combo in the morning when I first wake up and before bed at night and so far I've already seen a change in my skin (for the better) in just a few short days. I'm excited to track the progress.

 
 

I look forward to my next post. Please feel free to send ideas of posts you'd like to see. I think I may do a giveaway soon!

Namaste'

Natural Hair Luncheon

So three of my friends and I decided to put together a lunch meet and greet to talk styles, swap products, and just enjoy fellowship.

We decided to reach out to some companies and we were happy to have the support of CurlsUnleashed, Mixed Chicks, and Wonder Curl.

CurlsUnleashed sent us samples size of their shampoo, conditioner, curl boosting jelly, and a compact mirror with their logo to stuff in our goody bags.



CurlsUnleashed also donated four full size bottles: Shampoo, Leave-In conditioner, Curl Refresher, and Shine & Define Mousse. We used that as a giveaway and the lovely Angela won :-)



Next up, Mixed Chicks sent pens, brochures, and lip balm as free extras to the sample packs we bought.



Scarlett of Wonder Curl is always awesome and supportive of meetups I've been involved with. I've tested her products and I highly recommend them to any and everyone. They are great and kills frizz. She recently came out with a Hair Restoring Treatment so I was excited when she donated that and a cute tote to use as our other giveaway. Tanya was excited to get and use both!






We are so thankful for the support of these companies and giving us a chance to introduce others to their brand. They are amazing!

Lastly we had a product swap and the product junkie in me got excited. New (to me) products that were free? I'm always game ;-)














Thank you!



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Curly Cruise 2013- We had a ball!

So I know it's been a while since I've posted but I really felt like I lost my motivation for blogging. However, I went on a cruise in April with a group of natural hair ladies and it just really has me back in my groove. Over the next few weeks I will be reviewing the products I received either via purchase or giveaway and also will be having a contest or two as I have accumulated a lot products due to the cruise as well as my subscription to Curlbox :-)


So let me tell you beauties about this AMAZING cruise :-)

My friend Daphne was telling me about this cruise that a young lady named Ursula Kelly had put together. Daphne didn't find out about it until late summer 2012 and the cruise was set to sail April 2013 so I was worried I wouldn't make the payments in time however Diane Mason with the cruise planner was amazing in getting us all caught up in time to make the trip.

We sailed out of the Port of Miami with stops in the Florida Keys and Cozumel Mexico. Let me just say that from start to finish this event was planned so well. It was sponsored by Curls, we had discussion panels on products, styling, as well as regular hair maintenance  Additionally, the beautifully talented Felicia Leatherwood did a live big chop and also showed us how to trim our ends. We had an amazing cocktail party and so many giveaways I need another bag just for that.

Here are pictures that I took and I did borrow a few from the Curly Cruise site:-)

 The amazingly talented Ursula Kelly along with the ladies from the Curls NY-based team. They were such sweethears and so informative with the the Curls products and demonstrations

Daphne and me at the Cocktail Party..open bar ladies :-)

Celebrity stylist Felicia Leatherwood gave great time on how and went to trim your ends and also how to care for hair that may be weak areas of the scalp

 This is only a small amount of of products that Curls gave away to all the ladies in attendance.

 Supporting Daphne at the vendors fair. The other vendors included Ms. Veola Jolly who had homemade, natural hair and skin products, handcrafted earrings, as well as loc-socs.

Also vending was ladies of Curls as well as the V-Bar Lady who specializes in natural, holistic body and hair products. They are alternatives to the commercialized products sold in stores.

The next few pictures are of the cruise ship, awaiting to embark in Miami,  our stop in Key West, and our day at the beach in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico (we ported in Cozumel and ferried over to PDC).

Ladies (and gentlemen too lol) we'd love to have you on the 2014 Curly Cruise as we will once again be embarking from the Port of Miami with stops in Nassau Bahamas, Half Moon Cay , and Grand Turks (Turks & Caicos) March 31st-April 5th.

Fees include the following: Cruise Fare Taxes and Government Fees Ship Gratituities Miami Airport Transfers Convention Admission ( All workshops, events and vendor's fair) 2- Hour Cocktail Party T-Shirt and Bag Welcome to Miami Reception Admission

Prices based on Double Occupancy:
Inside Stateroom: $701.39
Oceanview Stateroom: $771.39
Balcony Stateroom: $891.39

Deposit Schedule: ( Call Diane at 1-888-202-4136 to make deposits)***
1st Deposit: $50 pp by June 3, 2013
2nd Deposit: $150 pp by August 15, 2013
3rd Deposit: $125 pp by October 18, 2013 (please pay this deposit by Cashier's Check or Money Order) 4th and Final Deposit: Remaining Balance - by January 15, 2014.

*** You are encouraged to make deposits in between the official deposit times so that you can complete deposits. ****

You will not be admitted to events or workshops if you do not book through this group!!

Cruise Schedule

 March 31 
Set sail at 4pm
4:30- 6:00 -Welcome and Live Big Chops

April 1 
8am -5pm - Nassau, Bahamas
6pm - 8pm - Cocktail Party

April 2 
7:30 am - 3:30 pm - Half Moon Cay
4pm -6pm - Workshop

April 3
 8:00am - 10:30am - Vendor's Fair
11am - 5pm - Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos)

April 4 - Sea Day
9am - 9:50am - Workshop
10am - 10:50am - Workshop
11am - 11:50am - Workshop
12 - 1pm - Break for Lunch
1pm - 3pm - Workshop
3:10 pm - 4:30 - Workshop
7pm - 8pm - Hair Show

Be sure to call Diane Mason at the Cruise Planner at 1-888-202-4136 to book now!!

TWA Love!

Hey naturalistas!

So I've posted about how after 3 years of my natural journey I did a 2nd big chop and I love it!

So often I see blogs and videos celebrating those who have the big Afros, long curly tresses, and massive kinky do's....well I want to show love to the TWA's out there :-)

We rock our fades, baldies, and teeny weeny afros fiercely and proudly!


Please submit the following information to biggirlbighair@gmail.com to be featured in a special TWA Only blogpost:
1. Name
2. How long you've been natural
3. Is this tour first BC
4. Picture of your gorgeous TWA


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BGBH Is Going Cruising!

So I've taken a hiatus from blogging but I'm back now and what better way then to kick it off BIG!

BGBH will be cruising on the Curly Cruise! It's April 25-29, 2013 and leaving out of the Port of Miami with stops in Key West and Cozumel, Mexico.

Won't you join me on my first ever cruise? I'd love for you to join me so we can all fellowship and network and just have some good old fun. Use the following links to learn more about it and if you decide to book let them know bigGirlbigHair sent you :-) No, I get no compensation, the cruise founder wants to track all the blogs promoting.

Ask for Diane :-) The Curly Cruise


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